Fulham manager Marco Silva is expected to arrive in Lisbon today to hold direct talks over the Benfica job.
The former Sporting CP coach is the leading candidate to replace Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho.
Silva has indirectly been approached for the job but kept his distance so far out of respect for Fulham and the active Premier League campaign.
Now that it’s over, he will decide on his future ahead of the World Cup, A Bola report.
Yet despite the prospect of returning to his homeland for one of the world’s biggest teams, Fulham have made an almighty pitch to keep Silva.
Reports in England claim a salary increase from around €7million per year to €12m.
Benfica were initially offering just €3.5m by comparison, while he’s also been promised more influence on transfers by Fulham’s owner.
The series of events corresponds with Silva’s own comments, with him so far undecided between Fulham and Benfica.
Speaking after their season finale, he said: “Right now, to be honest with you, I don’t feel like this is a farewell, because I haven’t decided yet.
“If I had made my decision, I wouldn’t have any problem saying so.
“If I haven’t announced anything and the club hasn’t announced anything, it’s because I haven’t decided.
“It won’t go beyond next week. It can’t go beyond that.”
He added: “I don’t like to play games. At this moment, I haven’t made my decision.
“It will certainly be next week. We have to announce it, because the club has to move forward, or, for me to stay, we have many things to prepare.”
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