Newcastle fans have been reacting on social media after Antonio Araujo, the agent of Benfica star Rafa Silva, told Portuguese radio station Renascenca that the Magpies are interested in signing the winger.
The 25-year-old’s representative discussed his client’s future on the Bola Branca show at the start of the week, and confirmed that Newcastle were interested in his potential availability, but stressed that the 15-cap Portugal international sought to remain an Aguias player going forward and would like a new contract.
Silva is still currently on the same deal he originally penned in 2016 when he moved to the Estadio da Luz from Braga, and remains under contract in Lisbon until the summer of 2021.
That contract also includes a €60million (£51.4m) release clause, but Araujo did not rule out Benfica accepting a lower amount.
“They [Newcastle] are one of those interested [in Silva]. Whatever happens, will happen. Now, the main focus is to be champion [of Liga NOS],” Araujo told Radio Renascenca.
“Benfica know what Rafa wants, we are waiting calmly [for a new contract]. I think it’s going to happen because there is a will from the club and there is Rafa’s will as well. The player is well at Benfica, now he wants to see his salary situation go to what he really represents for Benfica.”
Silva was linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in November, when Portuguese publication Record, via Sport Witness, linked the Molineux outfit with the winger, noting that Benfica did not consider the forward to be at the level the club hoped he would reach before turning 24.
The same report also noted that Silva was not imposing himself on the squad enough, and that he was their 18th most used player at the time.
Since then, however, the predominantly left-sided attacker has stretched his records for the season to 19 goals and three assists, enough to make Silva Benfica’s second best goalscorer across all competitions – only behind centre-forward Haris Seferovic.
When it was shared on Twitter that Silva’s agent had confirmed our interest in his client, this is what some Newcastle fans made of it…
Ah, if only it was a €6m release clause…
…we still wouldn’t pay it.
— James Keatley (@jkeatley1892) May 6, 2019
At least we would have one Rafa here next season
— Mark (@mja1980) May 6, 2019
Well at that price its defo happening thenn… ????????
— Dean Dodds (@doddsy1991) May 6, 2019
Can’t wait to read these all summer & us actually sign Danny Welbeck on pay as you play
— JΛMIΣ (@jamiepowell1) May 6, 2019
We will offer £5m.. Gets rejected. End of negotiations.
— Keiron (@keiron_nufc) May 6, 2019
???? wonder if they’ll extend our overdraft? ????????
— Mandy (@MrsRogue76) May 6, 2019
These are the kind of players that Newcastle United should be in for every bloody year. This will be determined by Rafa’s contract situation. Time to sink, or swim.
— ????N????I????C????K????Y???? (@fORgEtMeAlWays_) May 6, 2019
Why even put this up. Never happen in a million years. Maybe if his buy out clause was £6m
— Frank Drebin (@FrankDr42855441) May 6, 2019
He should be safe enough then
— MacToTheFuture (@Petermccarthy84) May 6, 2019
Great player tbh those release clauses mean nothing offer them 20m they’d probably accept
— Lassa Blanc (@lassablanc) May 6, 2019
Benfica usually place ridiculous release-clauses for all their players. Rafa Silva is an awesome player but is probably worth about half of that €60m, which would still be a massive fee for #NUFC to fork out
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) May 6, 2019