Marco Silva revives interest in Ibrahima Ba as Benfica pursue Fulham-linked defender

Marco Silva's admiration for Ibrahima Ba appears as strong as ever, with reports in Portugal claiming the new Benfica manager is pushing for a move for the highly-rated Famalicão defender.

The 21-year-old centre-back enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Primeira Liga and has emerged as one of the most sought-after young defenders in Portuguese football.

While Silva recently insisted he would not be raiding his former club Fulham for transfer targets, it seems he remains interested in players who had previously attracted attention during his time at Craven Cottage.

According to Correio da Manhã, Silva has personally approved Benfica's pursuit of Ba and has been monitoring the defender since last season.

The report suggests the Portuguese coach was already a fan of the player while managing Fulham and continues to view him as an ideal fit for his defensive rebuild in Lisbon.

Ba's impressive performances for Famalicão during the 2025/26 campaign attracted interest from several clubs, including Sporting CP.

However, Famalicão's reported €25m valuation proved too expensive for potential buyers and prevented negotiations from progressing.

Benfica are now attempting to find a more realistic path towards an agreement.

Despite Famalicão's previous valuation, there is growing confidence inside Benfica that a deal can be completed for less than €20m.

That reduction would significantly improve the chances of a transfer and bring the defender within a more manageable financial range for the Portuguese giants.

Benfica's transfer strategy often prioritise young players with strong resale potential, particularly those already proven within Portuguese football.

Ba fits that profile perfectly.

At just 21 years of age, he is viewed as a player capable of developing into one of the league's leading defenders while potentially generating a substantial future transfer profit.

Another factor potentially working in Benfica's favour is Ba's recent change of representation.

The defender has reportedly joined Jorge Mendes' agency, a development viewed positively inside the Estádio da Luz.

Benfica's long-standing relationship with Mendes has facilitated numerous transfers over the years, and Portuguese reports suggest those connections could help smooth discussions if negotiations become more advanced later this summer.

While agent relationships rarely guarantee a transfer, they can often help bridge gaps between clubs during complex negotiations.

Benfica are expected to continue discussions regarding defensive reinforcements as Silva shapes his squad for the upcoming campaign. Whether Famalicão are prepared to lower their demands will likely determine how quickly negotiations advance.

With Benfica aiming to sign multiple centre-backs this summer, Ba appears well positioned to remain one of the club's priority targets. His future could become clearer once the Portuguese transfer market begins accelerating later this month.

Would Ibrahima Ba be a smart signing for Benfica, or should Marco Silva focus on a more experienced defensive option?