Manchester United, Liverpool and Leicester City target Rafa Silva open to Premier League move

Braga midfielder Rafa Silva is attracting interest from Premier League clubs and is open to make a switch to England, IBTimes UK understands.

FC Porto lost to Braga on penalties in the Portuguese Cup on 22 May and that saw them end their 50-year wait for cup glory. Silva played the full 120 minutes for his side, including extra time and after the game was levelled at 2-2, the outcome was decided on penalties.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur monitored him last summer and his representative António Araújo from Onsoccer International told IBTimes UK in April 2015 that there has been interest for the midfielder from English clubs. The 23-year-old decided against making a switch and continued with his current employers in the 2015/16 season, during which he has excelled at Braga.

Silva's club form has not gone unnoticed as United, Liverpool and newly-crowned Premier League champions Leicester City are all reportedly keeping a track on the versatile player, who can play in the attacking midfield position or out wide on the flanks.

The player's agent admitted that a move to England could be a possibility in the summer as he believes the Premier League would suit his client.

"Rafa's style of play can help him adapt in the Premier League and there have been interest from clubs in England," Araujo told IBTimes UK.

"Not only England, but from other countries too. We will do what is best for Rafa cause he has a potential to become a great player."

People from the field of football, who have watched Silva regularly in action, believe that he is expected to be the face of Portuguese football after Cristiano Ronaldo. One of them is former Portuguese international Quim Machado.

"He might not reach the level of Cristiano Ronaldo, but I think that Rafa can be a leading figure for Portugal in the future," Machado has said about Silva.