'The boy will be a legend' - Liverpool and Tottenham transfer target hailed by Vertonghen

Silva has emerged as an exciting player in Portugal, already becoming a key man for the Champions League club, leading to transfer links with Spurs and Liverpool.

Advertisement

The 19-year-old impressed for his side in the Champions League group stages, starting all six matches, whilst averaging 4.2 clearances per game and an 89.8 per cent pass completion rate.

He continues to draw praise following his stellar rise, and Vertonghen, is a huge fan of the centre-back.

Advertisement

Praising his old defensive partner Nicolas Otamendi in an interview with CNN Portugal, Vertonghen then mentioned Silva.

"Otamendi is making a wonderful time. At his age, he remains very physical and important and a key player in the team. He is a true leader, as demonstrated in the World Cup.

"At the beginning of the season he started playing with Morato, who is a very good player, but then, because of the injuries they had to put the kid Antonio Silva, but the boy will be a legend," the former Tottenham man said via Record.

"If he keeps doing what he's been doing, he has everything to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two."

Advertisement

Advertisement

Silva is reportedly a target for Liverpool and Tottenham, and it is no surprise, given Benfica are notorious for churning out talent.

When Benfica were left with just one fit senior centre-back against Boavista on August 27 last year, manager Roger Schmidt called up Silva.

"Antonio is 18, but when you see him on the pitch, he doesn't look that age," Schmidt said at the time.

"It was obvious in pre-season that he is a talented player and that he is already a professional player who is able to withstand the pressure playing for the Benfica first team, and he has shown it many times this season."

Advertisement

Silva has two caps for Portugal, and made one appearance at the 2022 World Cup, showing he is already breaking onto the world stage.

The player is expected to cost in the region of £52million, and but with his contract running until 2027, it remains to be seen if Benfica are prepared to cash in.