Antonio Silva is on the verge of completing a transfer from Benfica to Bournemouth.
The Portuguese defender has traveled for a medical ahead of the move, as reported on July 31, 2026.
The 22-year-old center-back, who captained Benfica in a 5-0 Europa League qualifying win against St Gallen, has agreed to a deal reportedly worth €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons.
This transfer aims to bolster Bournemouth's defense following the departure of Marcos Senesi.
Silva has made 183 appearances for Benfica in all competitions, including the Champions League and Europa League. He also holds 20 caps for Portugal.
Despite being right-footed, he prefers playing as a left center-back. He declined a contract renewal at Benfica, which facilitated his move to the Premier League.
Former Coach Praises Silva's Qualities
Joao Nuno Fonseca, Silva's former coach at Benfica's development team, praised his football intelligence and maturity.
"Marco will not have any problems with him. Antonio is a very good person and the type of player that is easy to coach.
He is very attentive," Fonseca said.
"At Benfica, he listened to every detail that we gave him.
He was very mature and that had a huge impact because it is difficult to reach the first team at Benfica."
Fonseca highlighted Silva's anticipation skills, stating, "The key aspect of his game is his anticipation. Antonio reads the game really well.
He is an anticipation-based defender rather than a reactive one."
"You see a lot of reactive centre-backs. He is not one of those.
Antonio understands what will happen next," he added.
"The technical skills are there, of course. But the key difference is understanding the game, in possession and out of possession.
He knows what to do in those moments."
Silva's ability to perform diagonal switches and play forward passes were also noted as strengths that will suit Bournemouth's vertical playing style under coach Marco Rose.
Fonseca also pointed out the challenges Silva will face in the Premier League, remarking, "This move is fantastic for him because he will evolve and mature much more as a player in the Premier League."
He acknowledged Silva might have stayed longer than ideal at Benfica, saying, "He needed to move earlier, in my opinion.
He stayed longer than expected.
The decision that he made not to leave Benfica last year did not help him because he needed exposure to new experiences."
Despite being left out of Portugal's recent World Cup squad, Fonseca emphasized Silva's readiness, "Antonio is very capable and is completely ready to play in the Premier League.
But it will be a different challenge for him.
The challenge in England is week by week, not just waiting for the European games like he could at Benfica.
The focus must be there."
Negotiations between Benfica and Bournemouth were confirmed to be advanced, with Silva and his agent Jorge Mendes agreeing on personal terms.
Bournemouth's president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, who previously worked at Benfica, is understood to have influenced the transfer positively.
Silva's arrival follows Bournemouth's first signing this summer, Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche, as the club prepares for its upcoming Europa League campaign.
