Bournemouth are in talks with Benfica to sign Portugal defender Antonio Silva as a replacement for Marcos Senesi, who left on a free transfer to join Tottenham Hotspur. The Cherries have targeted the 22-year-old ball-playing centre-back, although Benfica have paused further progression in talks as they focus on Europa League qualifying against St Gallen.

The Portuguese club face the Swiss side on 23 July, with the return leg a week later in Lisbon. Silva has been a regular for Benfica since breaking into the first team in 2022, featuring 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 would 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. The club, now under new manager 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 key players: Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi.