Manchester United have been linked with a 70 million move for Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva, according to reports.
Jose Mourinho is said to have identified his fellow Portuguese as one of his top targets, but will face competition as Real Madrid are said to also be keeping tabs on the 22-year-old playmaker.
Silva’s agent is a man you will all be familiar with, Jorge Mendes – who also represents Mourinho, Cristian’s Ronaldo, and Diego Costa, as well as others, and he considers Silva to be one of the brightest rising stars in European football.
Silva was left out of Portugal’s Euro 2016 winning squad last summer due to a thigh injury, but has 10 caps for his country with a single goal registered.
He joined Monaco from Benicia for 14m deal after a loan-spell, and can play across the midfield and has 4 goals and 4 assists to his name so far this season.
He is a product of Benfica’s youth system, and made his debut for the clubs first team at the age of just 19.
His first goal for Monaco came in the 2014-15 season, and was the winning goal in a game against Marsellie.
While many Manchester United fans will feel 70 million is very much over-priced, Jorge Mendes is no stranger to making sure the players under his watchful gaze fetch high transfer prices, some fans may be very excited at the idea of the young prospect arriving in Manchester, and while nothing is currently set in stone – he could potentially be a huge signing for the Red Devils.
If this is to go ahead, it will undoubtedly divide opinion, but then again – so did the 50m signing of France international Martial – who started in terrific form for United, perhaps this will be a similar situation.
Regardless, 70m is still a very pricey tag to have at the age of 22, and we will have to wait and see if Jose Mourinho really believes the young star is worth it.