Benfica's Portuguese forward Rafa da Silva celebrates a goal during the Portugal's Candido de Oliveira Super Cup final football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Algarve stadium in Faro on August 4, 2019. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal look to sign Rafa Silva from Benfica

May 20, 2020

Arsenal want to sign Rafa Silva from Benfica, with the player open to a transfer, but only after he wins the league with his current club.

fbl por liga benfica belenenses — Benfica’s forward Rafa da Silva (C) controls the ball on January 31, 2020. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Correio da Manhã report that Arsenal are ‘strongly committed’ to signing Rafa Silva from Benfica. The Portuguese club are already aware of the interest, and the player is open to a move. However, he does want to win the league title first.

Benfica currently sit one point off FC Porto and the top of the table. They’re waiting for football to return, as in so many countries right now, but they certainly have a decent chance of a title challenge when it does.

Arsenal’s interest reportedly flatters Silva, but there’s no chance of the Gunners paying his €80m release clause.

Reports last month suggested Benfica were hoping for £25m for Silva, whilst Newcastle United believed they could sign him for £15m. If accurate, that’s much more reasonable.

The 27-year-old has nine goals and six assists this season, despite a near three-month injury. With 1,597 minutes played, that’s one goal contribution every 106.5 minutes. A solid record, albeit for one of the league leaders in Portuguese football.

Rafa also scored 21 goals in all competitions in 2018/19, and he can play on both wings. He is up to 17 appearances for Portugal, and his country were giving him regular call-ups until he missed the last two breaks with that injury.