Bournemouth in talks with Benfica for Antonio Silva as Senesi heads to Tottenham

Bournemouth have opened discussions with Benfica over a deal for Portugal international Antonio Silva, with the 22-year-old defender earmarked as a direct replacement for Marcos Senesi. Senesi is poised to leave the Vitality Stadium on a free transfer and join Tottenham Hotspur, prompting the Cherries to move for Silva, who fits the profile of a ball-playing centre-back. The Argentina international’s departure has accelerated Bournemouth’s search, though Benfica have pressed pause on the talks while they focus on Europa League qualifying. The Portuguese side face St Gallen in Switzerland on 23 July, with the second leg in Lisbon a week later. Silva has been a first-team staple at the Estadio da Luz since breaking through in 2022, featuring in the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup. He has 20 caps for Portugal and was named in their squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, but Roberto Martinez did not select him for this summer’s European Championship. Silva would become Bournemouth’s second signing of the window after striker Alvaro Rodriguez arrived from Elche in a deal worth up to £25.7m. New manager Marco Rose is overseeing a squad rebuild after the club sold more than £200m worth of players last summer. Bournemouth are determined to fend off interest for key assets Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi.