Fulham are making what Portuguese media describe as an increasingly urgent effort to keep Marco Silva. Fresh reports claim the club are now willing to offer promises they previously refused, in an attempt to stop him leaving this summer.
The Fulham manager remains one of Benfica’s leading targets if José Mourinho departs for Real Madrid. There is now a growing feeling in Portugal that the coming days could be decisive.
According to A Bola, Fulham are pushing hard behind the scenes to convince Silva to renew his contract and stay at Craven Cottage. Also, the report describes the London club as effectively ‘pressing’ the manager for a decision, as they try to avoid losing him.
Importantly, the Portuguese newspaper claims Fulham are now prepared to “give Silva things they did not offer him last season”.
While the report does not go into precise detail, the suggestion is clearly tied to competitiveness and squad planning. It is also tied to the scale of the summer rebuild Silva wants before committing his future.
Fulham trying to change Silva’s mind
The latest update paints a picture of a club scrambling to avoid a major managerial loss.
Silva has repeatedly insisted no decision has been made yet. However, his recent comments to the British press hinted at why this summer matters so much to him.
“The summer ahead will be one of the most important for Fulham’s future. We are going to analyse things and have some meetings. I need to stay calm to deal with many aspects,” he explained.
That fits perfectly with the latest Portuguese claims.
According to them, Fulham have continued insisting on a renewal while also promising guarantees about the competitiveness of the squad moving forward. Those discussions are said to be creating genuine doubts in Silva’s mind about whether to leave.
The timing is critical because Fulham are entering a defining transfer window. Silva has stabilised the club in the Premier League, but there is a clear sense he wants stronger backing if he is going to continue leading the project long-term.
Benfica waiting for Mourinho domino
Meanwhile, Benfica are effectively waiting for the Mourinho situation to fully unfold before making their move.
Portuguese reports continue to insist Benfica expect Mourinho to accept Florentino Pérez’s proposal to return to Madrid. Once that happens, Benfica are expected to formally advance for Marco Silva.
The report adds Benfica are prepared to offer Silva a two-year contract alongside a sporting project built around reclaiming the Portuguese title. In addition, the project focuses on returning strongly to the Champions League.
Silva’s relationship with Benfica director-general Mário Branco is again highlighted as an important factor. The two previously worked together at Estoril and are viewed internally as people capable of quickly organising the next phase of the club’s rebuild.
Add to that the plane trip Mourinho and Silva took to London together. With that, you’ll have plenty to elaborate.
Decision could arrive quickly
The newspaper claims Silva could be ready to announce his decision after Sunday’s final Premier League match against Newcastle.
That would explain why Fulham are now pushing so aggressively to resolve the situation.
There is also another layer in Portugal’s reporting. While Ruben Amorim reportedly has strong support internally at Benfica, A Bola states he currently has no plans to coach next season unless a major foreign proposal suddenly arrives.
That contradicts Correio da Manhã’s claim that Amorim is their priority target.
Also, that leaves Silva looking increasingly like Benfica’s most realistic option – unless Fulham’s late push, and promises of a bigger future, manage to change his mind.
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