Benfica not giving up on retaining Rafa Silva

Benfica are not going to go down without a fight when it comes to Rafa Silva, who is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of this season. According to reports out of Portugal, Benfica are making one last gasp to retain Rafa beyond this season, even though they know they can not provide the annual salary rumoured to be offered by Qatari club Al-Sadd.

Rafa is said to not only be on the radar of Al-Sadd, but Lazio, AC Milan and Manchester United have also been linked with the 30 year old attacker. Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is pushing hard to keep Rafa with Benfica and has President Rui Costa looking for creative ways to find a salary structure that can work to the players liking.

Rafa has been at Benfica since the summer of 2016 and has appeared in his 300th game for the club over the past month. Benfica knows that they are in tough to retain Rafa, but they are looking at a salary structure mixed with bonuses that can appease the player and have him continue to represent the club after the season.