With the January transfer window just around the corner, Juventus faces a crucial opportunity to address a significant blow to their defense. Gleison Bremer’s season-ending cruciate ligament injury leaves a glaring gap in the backline, one the Bianconeri will be eager to fill.
Enter Jorge Mendes. The influential agent stepped into the spotlight during an interview with Sky Italia ahead of the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. Naturally, the big question was: what did Mendes have to say about Juventus’ interest in the 21-year-old Benfica center-back Antonio Silva?
“Juventus want Antonio Silva, and Antonio Silva wants Juventus,” Mendes told the Italian media outlet (h/t Football Italia). “Benfica have the last word, so patience is needed.
“We’ll see what happens. Surely, Antonio would love to join Juventus, but the transfer window is still closed, so we’ll see. He is an important player, he has quality and the best clubs in the world have followed him.”
What's the latest on Antonio Silva to Juventus?
Nuno Martins of Portuguese media outlet Record doesn't see any transfer involving the young Benfica standout to Turin ahead of the January window.
"Rui Costa said he will not sell the central defenders unless a club is willing to pay the release clause," Martins told TuttoJuve.
"Benfica is competing for the Portuguese championship and playing in the Champions League, so they do not want to sell their best players in January. Under these conditions, negotiations will not start."
It will be interesting to see if Benfica stand their ground or whether Silva's agent makes any push for a deal to occur. Nonetheless, this might not be the last we hear of this transfer rumor.
READ MORE:
Man City aim to gain transfer edge for Juventus target in latest update
Man Utd extend chance for Juventus to sign £300-a-week underperforming star
AC Milan, Juventus explore potential swap deal featuring €25M-rated ace