Rafa Silva ‘to travel’ to Portugal on Wednesday to finalise Benfica move | OneFootball

Rafa Silva is closing in on a Benfica return and is expected to travel to Portugal on Wednesday, 21 January, to finalise the move, according to Glorioso 1904.

Record, citing Sports Digitale, reports that the 32-year-old is close to leaving Besiktas, with his future pointing to a comeback at the Luz a year and a half after his exit.

Talks have accelerated in recent hours, putting Benfica closer to securing another signing for José Mourinho’s squad. So far only Sidny Cabral has arrived, the full-back signed from Estrela da Amadora.

Mário Branco, Benfica’s director-general of football, has been central to the deal, steering negotiations with Besiktas and using his strong relationship with the club’s president, Serdal Adali.

This season for Besiktas, Rafa Silva has played 16 matches, 10 in the Turkish league, four in the Conference League and two in Europa League qualifying. Across 1,360 minutes he has scored five goals and provided three assists. He is valued at five million euros.

Source: Glorioso 1904