Rafa Silva (L) vies with Vitoria FC's Portuguese defender Artur Jorge during the Portuguese league football match between SL Benfica and Vitoria Setubal FC at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on April 14, 2019. (Getty Images)
According to a report from Correio de Manha (h/t The Sun), Arsenal interested in signing Benfica’s attacking midfielder Rafa Silva in the summer transfer window.
Having started at the academy of Atletico Povoense, he moved to FC Alverca’s youth setup in 2003 and spent 8 years at the club, before signing for Feirense in 2011. He made 47 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals before joining Braga in 2013.
Silva spent three years at Braga, making 126 appearances, in which he contributed with 25 goals and 17 assists. Impressed by his performances, Benfica swooped in and signed him in 2016. Since joining the club, the 27-year-old has featured 125 times, scoring 35 goals, setting up 20 more.
In spite of the improvement, Arsenal remain 9th in the Premier League table and are staring at the prospect of missing out on European football altogether for the next season. Given the current circumstances, it goes without saying that Arteta needs to bolster his squad in the summer to better his team’s performances next term.
Defence remains a major area of concern for the Gunners. But with Dani Ceballos set to return to Real Madrid once his loan spell expires and Mesut Ozil’s future also uncertain, adding another creative midfielder would go a long way in helping them improve their fortunes next term.
To that end, the 27-year-old Rafa Silva would be a worthy addition. The Portuguese is a versatile operator who can play on the left flank and also as a No.10, while he has also been used as an auxiliary striker on occasions. This versatility and flexibility would make him an asset to Arteta as he would be adding quality and depth.
Furthermore, Silva is enjoying his best form since the 2018/19 campaign. Last season saw him bag 21 goals and 3 assists in 44 matches across all competitions. He has backed that up with 9 goals and 6 assists in 25 games during the 2019/20 season.
Given the form that he has been in coupled with his versatility, Rafa Silva would bring increased quality and depth to this Arsenal side.
Rafa Silva, at 27, is enjoying his peak years. The attacking midfielder has been in top form over the last two years. Coupled with his versatility, the Portuguese international would add greater depth to the Arsenal squad, while improving the overall quality of the Gunners squad. Hence, they should make an attempt to land Silva.
