Benfica's Offer to Marco Silva Revealed

While financial considerations weren't the sole hurdle in negotiations between Benfica and Marco Silva, both parties made significant strides on Monday, with a deal now reportedly close to being finalized, according to A BOLA.

The Portuguese coach had demanded assurances of an ambitious sporting project, including direct and substantial influence over squad construction. Benfica president Rui Costa and sporting director Mário Branco have reportedly moved closer to meeting these conditions in recent hours.

Significant progress has also been made on the financial front. Marco Silva is poised to reject a highly competitive offer from Fulham, reportedly worth around 7.5 million euros net per season, which also included a substantial budget increase to bolster the English team's competitiveness.

To secure the coach, the Eagles' board has reportedly neared a 5 million euro net per season offer, coupled with a signing bonus of a similar magnitude. The proposal also includes guarantees regarding the sporting structure and squad formation, with Marco Silva set to play a more active role in defining the footballing project.

With his demands largely met, an agreement is imminent, and all signs point to Marco Silva becoming Benfica's next head coach.

For the deal to be formalized, the official departure of José Mourinho is still pending, as he has a contract valid for another season. The coach is expected to head to Real Madrid, a scenario contingent on the June 7 elections, with Florentino Pérez as a candidate for re-election, and subject to the payment of a 15 million euro release clause.