Fulham boss Marco Silva is close to reaching an agreement to take charge at Benfica.
The Cottagers have offered the 48-year-old a contract renewal which he is yet to accept.
Silva’s contract at Craven Cottage is due to expire this month but it is understood discussions have progressed significantly between him and Benfica and an agreement is within reach.
Benfica are looking to appoint a successor to Jose Mourinho, who has left the club and signed a three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s new head coach, pending their presidential elections on Sunday.
Mourinho, 63, took over at Benfica for a second spell in September and led them to third place in the Primeira Liga without losing a league game.
Fulham finished 11th in the top flight last season, level on 52 points with Chelsea and Silva was among the contenders to succeed Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge prior to Xabi Alonso’s appointment.
Marco Silva is closing in on becoming Benfica boss after five years at Fulham
Silva joined Fulham in July 2021 from Everton and guided them back to the Premier League in his first season, following the club’s relegation to the Championship a year earlier.
If Silva is to leave, Fulham would become the fifth Premier League side to be in the market for a new manager just over one week after the conclusion of the campaign.
