Marco Silva blocks Benfica move for Stepán Chaloupek | OneFootball

Marco Silva has blocked Benfica’s pursuit of Slavia Prague centre-back Stepán Chaloupek. According to Glorioso 1904, the manager decided the deal should not progress after assessing the player.

After a close review, Silva felt the Czech defender did not offer the attributes required for his back line. Chaloupek had been repeatedly linked with Benfica during the window despite a strong season.

That evaluation informed the club’s stance, and Benfica continue to search for a new centre-back. Interest in Chaloupek had grown amid the imminent exit of António Silva, but attention has now turned to alternative targets.

As a result, Chaloupek is no longer under consideration at the club, though he remains on the radar of other European sides. Hull City and Ipswich Town have been among those linked, and he recently extended his contract to 2030.

In 2025/26 with Slavia Prague, Chaloupek, valued at 10 million euros, played 38 matches, 27 in the Czech league, eight in the Champions League, two in the Czech Cup and one in the Czech second tier. Across 2,610 minutes, he scored 10 goals and provided two assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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