Newcastle have £42m bid for Portuguese Euro 2024 star rejected but already planning second offer

Reports from Portugal claim that Newcastle United have had an initial £42million offer rebuffed by Benfica for their star defender.

As Newcastle's search for another centre-back continues, a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola has suggested that the Magpies have approached Benfica with a €50million (£42million) bid for 20-year-old Antonio Silva.

The offer was reportedly made up of an initial £30million plus £12million in add-ons but Benfica were not willing to accept.

A Bola went on to claim that Newcastle will return with a fresh bid after Euro 2024 has ended.

Newcastle are preparing a €60m bid

The next offer will be closer to €60million (£50million) for the Portuguese international, and given that Portugal are no longer in the European Championships, the Magpies could make their move sooner rather than later.

Silva made two appearances for Portugal at Euro 2024 coming off the bench against Turkey for seven minutes and a 66-minute spell in that unbelievable 2-0 defeat to Georgia.

He was much more of a regular starter for his club making 30 appearances for Benfica in the Liga Portugal.

Silva is being kept out of the Portugal side by Pepe

At 20 years old and only being kept out of the national side by the legendary Pepe, it's little wonder Newcastle are keen to return with an improved bid.

The biggest thing that puts a red flag on this one for us is the source - A Bola. We're always sceptical when the report originates from the selling club's country. I mean, we're always sceptical of any transfer report, but especially of ones from foreign sources.

Fingers crossed A Bola are on to something, though, as the lad is definitely a talent and another player who fits the bill of signing talented young players with room for improvement.