Cristiano Ronaldo has recommended FC Porto striker Andre Silva to Real Madrid as a possible replacement for Karim Benzema next summer.
If a report in Don Balon is to believed, then the Portuguese captain wants his 21-year-old compatriot to lead the line at Real Madrid some day. Ronaldo is said to be extremely fond of the youngster and believes that his abilities, besides being enhanced, can be put to better use at the Bernabeu.
Both Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata have been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital in the upcoming transfer window and according to the Spanish publication, it seems as if the Frenchman is on his way out of Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are said to be preparing for Benzema’s departure and have made acquiring a striker and retaining Alvaro Morata among their top priorities. They have reportedly spoken to a number of center-forwards, in a bid to find a replacement for before the start of the next campaign.
This season, Silva has been one of Porto’s best players and is currently enjoying a stellar campaign. He has scored 20 goals and registered 7 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions and is currently the third highest goalscorer in the Portuguese top flight, with 15 goals.
Andre Silva celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese league football match FC Porto vs CS Maritimo at the Dragao stadium in Porto on December 15, 2016. (Picture Courtesy – Getty Images)
Silva came through the youth ranks of Porto and made his senior debut last season. He would go on to make 14 appearances in all competitions and he would begin this season as their first choice striker. He has also been capped twice for Portugal and has 4 goals for his national side.
His performances over the course of the past year have also seen him get named in the UEFA Breakthrough Team Of The year for 2016, alongside the likes of Cristian Pusilic and Ousame Dembele, so it comes as no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo thinks so highly of the young Dragõe.
At 21, he would be a superb long term replacement for Benzema and Silva currently has a €60 million release clause in his contract, a figure that the European Champions will have no qualms about matching. Should he develop well at the Santiago Bernabeu, then they would surely have a world class player in their ranks in a few years.
