Benfica winger shortage puts Fulham star Harry Wilson back on transfer radar

Harry Wilson has once again emerged as a transfer option for Benfica as Marco Silva searches for solutions to a growing shortage of attacking wide players ahead of the new season.

The Fulham winger continues to be linked with a move to Portugal despite Silva previously insisting he would not look to raid his former club following his appointment in Lisbon.

However, reports from Portugal suggest Wilson remains firmly on Benfica's shortlist as preparations intensify for their opening Europa League qualifier next month.

According to reports from Portugal, Silva is increasingly concerned about Benfica's lack of available wingers ahead of their first competitive fixture against St. Gallen on 23 July.

Several factors have combined to create the issue.

Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio are both currently away at the World Cup, while Silva reportedly intends to grant every Benfica player involved in the tournament a 15-day holiday period upon their return.

That decision could leave both players unavailable for the club's opening matches of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Bruma is still recovering from a lengthy injury absence and continues to be linked with a transfer away from the club. Tiago Gouveia has returned from a loan spell at Nice but is not guaranteed to remain at Benfica beyond the summer.

Meanwhile, Gianluca Prestianni remains unavailable due to a suspension carried over from last season's disciplinary case involving Vinícius Júnior in the Champions League.

The result is a shortage of natural wide attackers at a crucial stage of pre-season.

That situation has reportedly brought Wilson back into Benfica's thinking.

Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã claims the Fulham winger is one of several options currently being discussed internally, alongside Deportivo La Coruña's Yeremay Hernández and Saint-Étienne attacker Zuriko Davitashvili.

The connection is not a new one.

Earlier this month, reports in Portugal suggested Silva was keen on a reunion with the Welsh international after working together successfully at Craven Cottage.

Although the Benfica manager publicly denied any intention to target Fulham players, speculation surrounding Wilson has refused to disappear.

Benfica's immediate priority is ensuring they have sufficient attacking options available before their Europa League campaign begins in July. That could accelerate recruitment plans in the coming weeks.

For Fulham, resolving Wilson's future may become increasingly important. Whether the winger signs a new contract or explores opportunities elsewhere is likely to influence how aggressively Benfica pursue a deal. As long as uncertainty remains, the Portuguese media are expected to keep linking Wilson with a move to Lisbon.

Should Harry Wilson reunite with Marco Silva at Benfica, or would staying at Fulham be the better move for his career?