Silva is regarded as one of the most promising young centre-backs in Europe. Bournemouth have agreed a deal worth up to almost £26m for Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva. The Portugal international, 22, is travelling for a medical after the two clubs reached an agreement worth an initial £21.4m, plus a further £4.3m in add-ons.

It is a key signing for the Cherries, who identified replacing Marcos Senesi, following his free-transfer move to Tottenham earlier this month, as a priority. Club sources say a move for Silva has required patience, with an agreement only reached after Benfica's Europa League qualifying-round victory over Swiss side St Gallen on Thursday.

Silva has been a regular for Benfica since breaking into the first team in 2022 and has featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup. He has 20 caps and was in Portugal's squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 but was not selected by Roberto Martinez for this summer's tournament.

Silva is expected to become Bournemouth's second signing of the summer after the arrival of striker Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche in a deal worth up to £25.7m. Bournemouth, who have a new manager in Marco Rose, are aiming for a summer of stability after selling more than £200m worth of players last year.

They are determined to resist offers for three of their key players - Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi. Kroupi is out for three to four months, having suffered an injury in pre-season training.

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