Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly lost out to Benfica in the race to sign Vitoria de Guimaraes midfielder Manu Silva.
During the second half of last week, it was widely claimed that Wolves were closing in on a €12m deal for the 23-year-old.
Vitor Pereira has been in the market for a central midfielder and a second new centre-back after the recent acquisition of Emmanuel Agbadou.
Silva would have ticked both boxes having been deployed in the middle of the backline last season before taking his career to new heights in the engine room during 2024-25.
Nevertheless, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who was commenting on X, an old face has emerged to get the better of Wolves in the January market.
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Revenge for Lage?
The report claims that Benfica - managed by former Wolves head coach Bruno Lage - have stepped in to secure the signature of Silva.
As well as paying a €12m (£10.16m) fee, there is said to be €2m (£1.69m) in add-ons and a 20% sell-on clause included in the proposal.
Silva has seemingly been convinced to join a Primeira Liga title race and play Champions League football over joining a Premier League club with a considerable Portuguese contingent.
Despite recently suffering consecutive defeats in the top flight, Lage's side sit in second position in the standings, three points adrift of leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Lage will hope to make regular use of Silva during the second half of the campaign, the player having made 15 appearances in the league and a further 10 outings in the Conference League.
With Benfica's game with Barcelona taking place on Tuesday, Silva will realistically be looking at a debut versus Casa Pia in Primeira Liga on January 25.
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What now for Wolves?
Wolves are currently preparing to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday night with Mario Lemina potentially being involved after apologising to Pereira and the squad for his recent conduct.
However, the Gabon international is known to want to leave Molineux, leaving Wolves to identify an alternative replacement in the meantime.
Based on the profile of Silva, Wolves will likely attempt to sign a defensive-minded central midfielder who can also be deployed in the back three.
Darren Plant
