Newcastle United are interested in signing Benfica winger Rafa Silva, according to the Portugal international's agent.
It is no secret that Magpies manager Rafa Benitez will be looking to recruit at least one winger this summer, should the Spaniard sign a new contract on Tyneside, given that on-loan wideman Kenedy is almost certain to return to Chelsea.
United are understood to have tracked a host of wingers across Europe, and their scouting team have regularly taken in matches in Portugal, including several in which Benfica have been involved.
Salomon Rondon reveals how Benitez has helped him become more prolific for Newcastle than West Brom
The Magpies also hold a long-term interest in Silva's team-mate Andreas Samaris, whose Benfica contract comes to an end this summer, and who was close to joining United in January, only for the move for the Greece international midfielder to breakdown on transfer-deadline day.
But Silva's record of 15 goals and two assists in just 19 Primeira Liga starts this term makes for impressive reading, and he would certainly add a creative spark to Newcastle's frontline.
The 25-year-old also has 14 Portugal caps and is likely to cost in excess of £20million - he has a €60m (£51.3m) release clause, and was signed for €16.4m (£14m) - so it remains to be seen whether Newcastle will firm up their interest in Silva at such a price.
United are yet to finalise their list of targets for the summer window, given that Benitez's future remains uncertain, and they have scouted several other wingers, too, but Silva's agent Antonio Araujo claims that his client is one of the widemen Newcastle are tracking - although he suggests a new-and-improved contract at the Estádio da Luz is a more likely outcome than a transfer to the North East.
"They [ Newcastle ] are one of those [teams] interested," Araujo told Portuguese radio station Radio Renascenca's Bola Branca show, via Sport Witness .
"Whatever happens, will happen. Now, the main focus is to be a champions [in Portugal]. Benfica know what Rafa wants [in terms of a new contract], so we are waiting calmly.
"I think it’s going to happen because there is a will from the club and there is Rafa’s will as well. The player is well at Benfica, now he wants to see his salary situation go to what he [feels he] really represents for Benfica.”
'Rafa is more than a manager to us': Atsu reveals how influential Benitez is for Newcastle squad
Benitez believes his Newcastle side have real 'potential' - but wants the resources to maximise that
