Chelsea is said to have joined the race for Benfica’s Antonio Silva, who is also the top target of MU and Liverpool.

MU has been tracking Antonio Silva since October, he is said to be the club’s priority target in this year’s summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is one of the most highly rated young defenders in the world and has been nominated for the 2023 Kopa Trophy alongside players like Jude Bellingham and Rasmus Hojlund.

The player born in 2003 only debuted for Benfica’s first team last season, but quickly established himself in the Portuguese football giant’s shirt, helping his team concede only 20 goals in the following season. 34 matches and won the Primeira Liga championship.

With the outstanding maturity of the 20-year-old young star, he is currently interested in many big teams. Chelsea is said to have joined the race for Benfica’s Antonio Silva, who is also the top target of MU and Liverpool.

However, Benfica is not willing to sell its star. The only way for English teams to bring Silva to the Premier League is to activate his €100m (£86.7m) release clause. MU and Liverpool plan to wait until the end of the season to make an offer, but Chelsea will negotiate in the hope of surpassing their two compatriot teams in this deal.

Chelsea are not satisfied with their current back line as Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are ineffective, while Wesley Fofana has hardly played due to injury. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been in talks with Benfica over the Portugal international and have made an offer worth £52m plus striker Armando Broja.

However, this offer was quickly rejected as Benfica told Chelsea that if they wanted Silva they would have to activate the defender’s release clause. Other centre-backs contacted by the Blues include Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, who is also on the shortlist of MU and Tottenham.