Benfica eye experienced free agent Stefan de Vrij as potential Otamendi successor

As league seasons start to wrap up, Benfica have emerged as strong contenders to sign veteran Dutch centre-back Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer this summer. The 34-year-old Inter Milan defender is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season when his contract expires. Reports coming out of Italy indicate Benfica, alongside Olympiacos and a few other European clubs, are said to have already made offers for the experienced defender.

De Vrij could perfectly slot in to replace club captain Nicolas Otamendi, whose current deal also runs out at the end of the season. The Argentine veteran has been a stalwart since joining from Manchester City in 2020, but age and a change in direction at the club may open the door for a high-quality, cost-effective replacement.

 

Born in 1992, the tall right-footed defender boasts an impressive career. He rose through Feyenoord’s academy, making 135 league appearances before moving to Lazio in the summer of 2014 for €7 million. He would then join Inter in the summer of 2018 on a free transfer, he has racked up over 210 Serie A appearances, scoring 12 goals, contributing to two Serie A titles in 2021 and 2024 and multiple Coppa Italia and Supercoppa wins.

Internationally, de Vrij has earned 79 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 4 goals and featuring in major tournaments. Known for his aerial dominance, composure on the ball and leadership, he remains a reliable performer despite his age.

For Benfica, signing de Vrij would bring immediate defensive stability and a provide a veteran presence in the back four. It would be a smart move to refresh the backline while maintaining their competitiveness. Fans will be watching closely to see if the experienced Dutchman trades Milan for Lisbon over the summer months.
 

Benfica and Sporting share interest in Kairat Almaty keeper

In an interesting development, Benfica are said to have set their sights on promising 22-year-old, Kairat Almaty's keeper Temirlan Anarbekov. The young shot-stopper has turned heads with his standout performances during this seasons UEFA Champions League, delivering crucial saves and showing composure well beyond his years against some of Europe's top clubs.

According to reports from Kazakh media, Benfica are said to be serious about acquiring Anarbekov, but they will face stiff competition from city rivals Sporting. The Lisbon derby dynamic adds extra spice to the pursuit of the Kazakh keeper as both Portuguese giants battle for a high-upside talent who could become a long-term solution between the posts. Acquiring him wouldn’t break the bank as estimates suggest a fee in the low millions with likely add-ons could be enough to secure his services.

This move appears tied to Benfica’s plans for their current starting keeper Anatoliy Trubin. The Ukrainian international has attracted significant Premier League attention, with Benfica reportedly open to cashing in on the soon to be 25-year-old who has a price tag in the €40 million range. Selling Trubin at that price would provide substantial funds to reinvest in the squad and hand Anarbekov the reigns as the club's new starting keeper.

This move has the classic Benfica strategy of acquiring a player for a low cost and developing them to sell higher in the future. Whether the Eagles can pip rivals Sporting remains to be seen, but the battle for Anarbekov's signature promises to be an intriguing off field battle in the coming weeks between two of Portugal's top clubs.

Benfica make u-turn on Mourinho future with club after Real Madrid interest

As the 2025/26 season enters its final stretch, Benfica president Rui Costa is reportedly pushing to secure the long-term future of manager Jose Mourinho amid growing speculation linking the Special One with a sensational return to Real Madrid. Mourinho, who returned to the Estadio da Luz in September 2025, is currently contracted to Benfica until June 2027.

However, the deal includes a break clause that allows either party to terminate the agreement in the 10 days following the final match of this season. This effectively means Mourinho could depart the club for free or for a relatively low compensation fee according to some reports, if no new agreement is reached. According to recent reports, Mourinho has already submitted a detailed proposal for a contract extension, signalling his desire to remain at Benfica beyond the current terms and his desire to get the club to the Champions League.

Yet President Rui Costa has so far preferred to honour the existing deal, creating a subtle but noticeable tension behind the scenes. With Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said to view Mourinho as his preferred candidate to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa, the pressure is mounting on Benfica’s board. Costa, who brought Mourinho back to the club, now faces a critical decision, does he offer the experienced tactician the security and improved terms he seeks, or risk losing one of the most charismatic figures in world football on a potentially a free exit this summer. 

For Benfica fans, the coming weeks will be decisive. Can Rui Costa convince Mourinho that his project at the Eagles is worth committing to long-term, or will the pull of another spell at the Santiago Bernabeu prove too strong to resist. The two sides are talking and a decision will come one way or another, we will just need to find out which direction the decision goes goes in the coming weeks.