EXCLUSIVE: Plymouth Argyle identify Brazilian goalkeeper keeper as replacement for Cooper

Plymouth Argyle have identified Moreirense goalkeeper Kewin Silva as a possible replacement for Michael Cooper, according to Record.

Plymouth Argyle look as though they’ve got a tough task ahead of them in the coming weeks.

After continued speculation over his future, Michael Cooper departed Home Park in a deal to join Championship rivals Sheffield United on Tuesday and the goalkeeper was spotted at Bramall Lane as the Blades beat Wrexham in the EFL Cup.

It gives the Pilgrims a couple of weeks to find their new number one, although any ‘keeper coming in may well have to battle Conor Hazard for the place in Wayne Rooney’s starting XI. Now, while Cooper’s move has not been made official at the time of writing, news of a player Plymouth Argyle have lined up as a replacement has emerged from the continent.

Reputable Portuguese news outlet Record claims that the Pilgrims are interested in Moreirense shot-stopper Kewin Silva as a potential Cooper heir. They state he is one of the names under consideration, suggesting there are other targets in mind.

Moreirense won’t be willing to let him go on the cheap though, despite the fact Silva is in the last year of his contract. It will take a ‘financially tempting offer’ for the club to sanction a sale of their number one.

Silva is a 29-year-old goalkeeper who has spent the last four years in Portuguese football. All of that time has been with current club Moreirense, signing permanently after a one-year loan.

Prior to that, he had spent time in the RB Bragantino setup and with Mirassol-SP. It’s been in Portugal where he has really made a name for himself though and emerged on the Plymouth Argyle radar.

Since making the starting spot his own, Silva has managed 28 clean sheets in 82 games. The majority of those have been in Liga Portugal, the country’s top tier. It means he’s been tested at a high level, so would likely be a solid goalkeeper in the Championship. Whether or not the Pilgrims can strike a deal though, it remains to be seen.

Replacing someone as important as Cooper will not be easy. So, it makes sense for Plymouth Argyle to cast a wide net and look towards the continent for potential targets.

The club have been more active in overseas markets in recent times too. It could bear fruit for them once more with English clubs sure to charge more, especially if they view the Pilgrims as a rival.

This summer alone, all of Viktor Palsson, Kornel Szucs, Ibrahim Cissoko and Muhamed Tijani have been signed from overseas.

Further signings could be set to follow too, though it remains to be seen if Kewin Silva is among them.