Sunday, June 30, 2019

Why Atletico's €126M offer does not trigger clause for Felix

Benfica SAD announced earlier this week that Atletico Madrid have offered the club €126M to acquire 19 year old Joao Felix. The transfer if it went through would be the highest transfer in the history of the Portuguese game and the third highest transfer of all time only behind Neymar and Mbappe. Joao Felix has a buy out clause of €120M but Atletico's offer of €126M does not trigger the buy out clause because Atletico's offer would pay Benfica in installments, because of this Benfica has the option to accept or decline the deal presented to them. Atletico Madrid has already agreed to an annual salary of €3.5M a season with Felix and the deal will include a buy out clause of €350M.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Benfica interested in Boavista striker Njie

Benfica have interest in Boavista's Gambian striker Yusuapha Njie. Njie has been gathering interest from Portugal's bigger clubs after his fine play towards the end of the season. Njie who missed the majority of the season due to a meniscus injury appeared in eleven league games for the Porto club scoring four times. Boavista acquired Njie in the summer of 2018 from Moroccan club FUS Rabat for €400,000 after Njie spent the 2017/18 season on loan at Boavista. Benfica have spent the start of the off season with their eyes on strikers around the globe as they look to beef up the position.

Benfica announce signing of striker Cadiz

Benfica have announced a poorly held secret with the acquisition of striker Jhonder Cadiz from Setubal. Benfica have paid Setubal a reported €3M for the Venezuelian 23 year old and signed him for the next five seasons. Cadiz arrived in Setubal last summer from Monages SC a Venezuelian club for an undisclosed amount and had a decent first season in Portugal, enough so that it caught the eye of the league champions. Cadiz appeared in 35 games for Setubal in all competitions, scoring ten times. Cadiz is the second reinforcement of the summer for Benfica.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Benfica have offer for Penarol winger rejected

Benfica have had an offer for 19 year old winger Brian Rodriguez rejected by Uruguayan club Penarol, who felt that Benfica's offer was too low to consider. Benfica are currently talking to Penarol about Cristian Lema making a move from the Lisbon club to Uruguay and are hoping that a deal for Rodriguez could be added to the negotiations. Rodriguez in his first year with the main squad appeared in nine league games, scoring once and assisting on four goals.

Benfica announce signing of Caio Lucas

Benfica have announced the signing of winger Caio Lucas who will join the club this season from Al-Ain FC on a free transfer. Lucas has signed a contract with Benfica until the summer of 2023 with a buy out clause of €45M. Lucas appeared in 28 games for Al-Ain in all competitions last season scoring seven times while assisting on eleven goals. Lucas is Benfica's first official signing of the summer season as the club moves towards bolstering the squad as they look to defending their league championship.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Benfica loan Diogo Goncalves for another season

Benfica have loaned youngster Diogo Goncalves away for another season, this time Goncalves will be joining newly promoted Famalicao for the season. Goncalves spent the 2018/19 season at Nottingham Forest were he appeared in only seven league games and played less then 210 minutes. Goncalves returned back to Benfica at seasons end when Nottingham declined to purchase the players buy out option that was set at €15M. Goncalves last appeared in a game for Benfica on February 17, 2018 against Boavista.

Jonas and Benfica set to agree on rescinding contract

Jonas will travel to Portugal to sit down with Benfica management this upcoming week as both sides look to come to an agreement to rescind the final year of his contract with the club. The 35 year old battled through injuries this past season and is set to announce his retirement from football. Benfica plan to have Jonas say his final good byes to fans at the clubs season presentation game on July 10 against Anderlecht. Jonas joined Benfica in the fall of 2014 and appeared in 183 games with the club in all competitions scoring an incredible 137 goals. Jonas won the golden boot as the leagues top scorer on two occasions and was named the league player of the year in 2015 and 2016. Jonas finishes his career as Benfica's 13th all time scorer in all competitions. Jonas will be remembered foundly at the Luz and finishes his Benfica career having won nine trophies with the club, four of them League Championships.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Benfica and Fiorentina join race for Lazio right back

Benfica and Fiorentina both join the race to land Lazio's right back Patric. According to reports from Italian paper Calciomercato, Benfica are looking for a right back to compete with Andre Almeida and at worse at least give the starting right back some days of rest more regularly next season. Patric was on Benfica's radar back in 2015 while still at Barcelona but decided to join the Italian club instead of making the move to the Luz. Lazio look to be thinning their squad and Patric who appeared in 15 league games last season could be had for an affordable €3M.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Benfica inform Cristian Lema he is not part of plans

Benfica have informed central defender Cristian Lema that he is not in the teams plans for next season as Bruno Lage starts to shape his squad. Lema arrived last summer at Benfica on a free transfer from Argentina club Belgrano, signing a contract until the summer of 2023. The 29 year old appeared in one league game and one Champions League game for Benfica last season before being loaned out to Penarol of Uruguay in February for the remainder of the season. Benfica will let Lema leave if they receive €3M from a club to purchase his services. The local Argentinian press say that clubs Boca Juniors and Colon are interested in Lema.

Benfica in talks to acquire Venezuelian keeper

Benfica are in talks to acquire Venezuelian keeper Wuilker Farinez who is currently taking part in the Copa America in Brazil. The 21 year old netminder is currently a member of Millonarios and reports coming from South American papers state that Benfica have made an offer for Farinez, who will decide your future at the completion of the Copa America. Benfica are said to be currently shopping two of their own keepers, Vlachodimos and Svilar so an opening for Farinez with the club would be their if one of these keepers are moved from the Lisbon side.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Benfica look at Werder Bremen winger

Benfica have turned their attention to Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica according to German paper Bild and are said to be ready to offer the German club up to €18M for the Kosovo International. Rashica joined Bremen during the winter transfer window of 2018 from Vitesse for €7M, he appeared in 30 games last season in all competitions scoring 12 goals while adding 6 assists. The 22 year old has already been capped by Kosovo 24 times in his young career debuting in September of 2016.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Mario Rui headed to Benfica from Napoli

Mario Rui could be on his way to Benfica according reports coming out of Italy. Italian newspaper Il Roma claims that amid interest in Italy from both Roma and AC Milan, Napoli have decided to turn their attention to Benfica in their pursuit of left back Alex Grimaldo. Napoli are willing to add Rui into a deal along with cash to acquire the Spanish left back. Rui was a member of Benfica back in 2010 but never appeared for the club before moving to Italy the following season.

Tottenham interested in Benfica youngster

Tottenham are interested in Benfica youngster Jota, the winger who has a €30M release clause has climbed up the ranks at Benfica and is now a member of the first team. Jota is currently signed until the summer of 2022 but Benfica are said to want to increase his buy out clause but have been unable to do so due to Jota wanting more annual salary then the club is offering. Benfica would like to see Jota remain with the Lisbon side for this season but would be unable to get this wish if Tottenham meet the buy out price tag.

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Benfica and Sporting to play Super Cup in Algarve

The Portuguese League season will kick off August 4, 2019 as the Portuguese League Champions of 2018/19 Benfica take on the Taca de Portugal winners of 2018/19 Sporting for the Super Cup title. The Super Cup will be played for the fourth time at the Estadio Algarve, which last hosted the game in 2015 between the same two Lisbon clubs. Benfica and Sporting will be meeting in the Super Cup for the fourth time with Sporting holding an edge two games to one but Benfica will hope to add to their seven Super Cup titles in this game.

Friday, June 21, 2019

Salvio headed back to Argentina with Boca

Salvio looks set to leave Benfica this summer and head back home to Argentina to play for Boca Juniors on a loan deal for the season. Salvio is signed until 2022 but the loan deal is said to include an option to buy the player once the loan is completed. Salvio's mother has also told local media that the deal is done. Benfica acquired Salvio from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2012 for €11M two seasons after Salvio spent a loan spell with Benfica. Salvio has appeared in 266 games with Benfica in all competitions scoring 62 times.

Benfica talking to Ruben Dias to increase buy out clause

Benfica are in talks with Ruben Dias and his representatives to increase the central defenders buy out clause from €60M to €80M as Europe's wealthier clubs circle. Benfica's Dias was a key member of the Portugal squad that won the 2019 Nations League title earlier this month and was awarded player of the game in the Finals. Manchester United and Real Madrid are two of the clubs interested in Dias' services but Benfica are trying to make sure they can maximize on the defender before he moves on from the club to greener pastures.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Benfica interested in Wolfsburg winger Brekalo

Benfica are interested in Wolfsburg winger Josip Brekalo according to reports coming out of Germany's Kicker magazine. The 20 year old Brekalo appeared in 25 Bundesliga games for Wolfsburg last season, scoring three times and has already been capped six times for Croatia. Wolfsburg is said to want no less then €15M for Brekalo who was acquired from Dynamo Zagreb in the summer of 2016 for €10M.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Benfica will face Fiorentina instead of Roma

Benfica will now face Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup instead of Roma at Red Bull Arena on July 25, 2019. Roma had to withdraw from the tournament due to Europa League qualifier obligations and Fiorentina have stepped in to take Roma's place in the competition. Benfica will also play Mexican side Guadalajara in tournament on July 20, 2019 as well as AC Milan on July 29, 2019 to wrap up their tournament participation. Benfica is participating in the summer tournament for the third time since it's inception.

Benfica talking to Real Madrid about Navas

Benfica are in talks with Real Madrid and have inquired about keeper Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican shot stopper is looking to be the number one keeper at a club and does not have that option any longer at Madrid with the acquisition of Courtois. Real Madrid are interested in Benfica defender Ruben Dias and may look to add Navas as part of the deal to reduce the €60M asking price that Benfica wants for the defender. Benfica's obstacle in acquiring Navas is his high salary, Navas currently makes over €8M annually.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Benfica to acquire Santa Clara striker Schettine

Benfica and Santa Clara are in closing talks for the Lisbon side to acquire striker Guilherme Schettine from the Azorean club. Benfica are said to be set to pay around €2M for the 23 year old to bolster their options at the striker position. The club has recently acquired striker Jhonder Cadiz from Setubal and with Joao Felix and Haris Seferovic looking like they will cash in on their excellent seasons over the summer, Benfica will need more strikers up front to fight for a spot with the club.

Joao Felix & Jorge Mendes seen dining in Madrid

Joao Felix and super agent Jorge Mendes were caught dining at a restaurant in Madrid over the last 24 hours as rumours continue to get swirl about Felix joining Atletico Madrid from Benfica this summer. Atletico Madrid are said to be set to meet the €120M buy out clause that Benfica have for Felix which basically gives Benfica no say in what will happen to the youngster. The 19 year old Felix had a great campaign with Benfica this past season, scoring 20 times over 43 games in all competitions.

Monday, June 17, 2019

Gedson Fernandes has surgery on broken foot

Gedson Fernandes has under gone successful surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot today. The surgery was to fix the fifth metatarsal on his right foot, which is the long bone on the outside of our foot that connects to the little toe. Benfica have not disclosed how Gedson suffered the injury but the midfielder looks set to miss two months for the club because of the injury. Gedson was recently a member of the disappointing U20 World Cup squad and was last in action on May 31.

Ivan Zlobin hopes to one day become Benfica # 1

Ivan Zlobin who is currently Benfica's #3 goalkeeper hopes to one day become the starting goalie for the Lisbon side. The 22 year old Russian born keeper has been a member of Benfica since 2016 and recently signed a new contract with Benfica until the summer of 2024. Zlobin looks set to become the #2 goalkeeper of the squad this season with the potential loan move of youngster Mile Svilar to Belgium next season. Zlobin has yet to appear in a game for the senior club but has appeared in 65 games for Benfica B.

Joao Felix could be settled this week

Glorioso Benfica
The Joao Felix saga looks to be coming to a conclusion sooner, rather then later with Benfica set to receive their asking price of €120 million for the 19 year old forward. Spanish paper Marca is reporting that Atletico Madrid are set to break their record purchase by meeting Felix's buyout clause. Benfica have actually issued a statement today rejecting the Marca report which would be good news to both Manchester clubs who are interested in the Benfica player also. Juventus look like they have moved on from looking to acquire the Benfica youngster.