Jorge Jesus meets with President to discuss reinforcements

New Benfica skipper Jorge Jesus is unhappy with the lack of acquisitions by club President Luis Filipe Vieira as was promised to him for returning to manage the club. Jesus met with Vieiria, Rui Costa and Tiago Pinto yesterday to discuss the status of reinforcements as he presses for more attacking options to arrive. With just over two weeks remaining before Benfica will play their one leg Champions League qualifier against either PAOK, AZ Alkmaar or Rapid Vienna, Jesus wants to have these group of players as options as the club tries to qualify for the group stage of the tournament. Benfica have acquired Everton (Gremio), Gilberto (Fluminense), Luca Waldschmidt (Freiburg), Jan Vertonghen (Free Agent), Helton Leite (Boavista) and Pedrinho (Corinthians) for this season but Jesus is expecting another three to four additions before the transfer window closes.

Benfica league schedule for 2020-21 announced

Benfica's schedule for the 2020-21 league season has been released by the Portuguese League as the club looks to regain their league title once again behind new manager Jorge Jesus. Benfica will kick off the season against Famalicao on the road and take on defending champions FC Porto in O Classico in Weeks 14 and 31. Benfica will take on their cross town rivals Sporting in Weeks 16 and 33.

Full Benfica schedule for the 2020-21 season:


Weeks 1 and 18 against Famalicao
Weeks 2 and 19 against Moreirense
Weeks 3 and 20 against Farense
Weeks 4 and 21 against Rio Ave 
Weeks 5 and 22 against Belenenses
Weeks 6 and 23 against Boavista
Weeks 7 and 24 against Braga
Weeks 8 and 25 against Maritimo
Weeks 9 and 26 against Pacos Ferreira
Weeks 10 and 27 against Gil Vicente
Weeks 11 and 28 against Portimonense
Weeks 12 and 29 against Santa Clara
Weeks 13 and 30 against Tondela
Weeks 14 and 31 against FC Porto
Weeks 15 and 32 against Nacional
Weeks 16 and 33 against Sporting
Weeks 17 and 34 against Guimaraes

Zivkovic and Benfica reach agreement to part ways

Benfica and Serbian midfielder Zivkovic have agreed to part ways after the 24 year old winger spent the past four seasons as a member of the club, winning two league titles and one Taca de Portugal. Zivkovic joined Benfica in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer after spending time with Partizan and appeared in 88 games across all competitions for the club scoring four goals and setting up twenty-four. Zivkovic fell out of favour with the club this past season and was informed by manager Jorge Jesus that he was not in his plans going forward, hence the start of negotiations between player and club to move on began almost instantly. The Serbian International is now free to join any club.

Benfica looking at keeper Ivan if starter departs

Benfica have their eyes on Ponte Preta keeper Ivan as the potential replacement for current starting keeper Vlachodimos if the latter is to move on this summer with rumours swirling that Newcastle are ready to pounce on the Greek International. Vlachodimos has a buy out clause of €60M and Newcastle are hoping that the Benfica keeper is in the mold of former club keepers Ederson and Jan Oblak and are confident that he can be had for less then the buy out clause. Manager Jorge Jesus has identified keeper Ivan as his top target and has been interested in the 23 year old since his time at Flamengo.

Benfica turn attention to Diego Costa in striker search

With the collapse of negotiations between Benfica and free agent striker Edinson Cavani due to the players exuberant salary demands, Benfica continue their search for an elite striker for the upcoming season and reports from Spain have the club now seriously considering a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid are also hunting for attacking options and with one year remaining on the Spanish International's contract, Atletico could be open to discuss a sale for the 31 year old. 
Super agent Jorge Mendes is Costa's representative and has brokered many deals between the two clubs over the years with the most recent being Joao Felix's sale for €126M last summer. Diego Costa appeared in 30 games across all competitions for Atletico last year, scoring five times while setting up another five and last scored double digits in a season while a member of Chelsea four seasons ago. New Benfica manager Jorge Jesus' attacking style could revitalize Costa's career which has seen a decline due to injuries and form since joining Atletico in 2018.

Benfica halt Cavani talks due to salary demands

 

Benfica have decided to stop the pursuit of striker Edinson Cavani according to reports coming out of Portugal due to the Uruguayans exuberant salary demands. After weeks of rumours and speculation with reports coming out just yesterday that the club and Cavani had reached an agreement on a three year deal for €10M per season, it is now all over. Benfica was still open to paying a higher signing bonus over six years to the striker but Cavani's camp wanted everything in salary to the tune of €60M over three years thus ending talks.

Benfica have now decided that they will look elsewhere in their pursuit of a top striker at a more affordable price, moving away from the 33 year old who's salary demands just become too rich for the Lisbon side to bare. Benfica has a crucial Champions League playoff qualifier for a spot in the lucrative group stage coming up in a months time and manager Jorge Jesus would like to have a striker in place to conform to the clubs new tactics putting the pressure on club President Luis Filipe Vieira to deliver.

Federico Fazio latest defender on Benfica list

Roma defender Federico Fazio is the latest name linked with a move to Benfica as the club continues to look to add another veteran presence to its back line. The 33 year old central defender has fallen down the pecking order at Roma and has one year remaining on his current contract. Benfica who recently signed former Tottenham centerback Jan Veronghen to play along side Ruben Dias is looking to add insurance to its back line and a player that can get into the lineup when one of the starters needs a day off. Fazio joined Roma in the summer of 2016 on loan from Tottenham before making the move permanent a year later and has appeared in 158 games across all competitions for the Italian side. The addition of Fazio could see one of Jardel or Ferro depart the club before the start of the coming season.

Jorge Jesus puts brakes on Svilar loan

Jorge Jesus has halted the loan move that was set to happen for Mile Svilar after Benfica had agreed to terms with Belgian side Heerenveen but the new Benfica manager has decided that he wants the 20 year old keeper to remain a bit longer with the club training at Seixal. Svilar was acquired by Benfica in the summer of 2017 for €2.5M from Anderlecht and has appeared 21 times for Benfica across all competitions since then. Svilar's only appearance for Benfica's main squad during this past season was a 4-0 win over Aves in Week 33 but he did appear in 20 games for Benfica's B squad were he had six clean sheets. Svilar may still depart the club on loan before the start of the season but Jesus wants to see what he has in the keeper before any decision is made on his future.

Benfica open talks with Inter for Joao Mario

Benfica are showing no signs off slowing down in the transfer market and according to Italian site GianLuca Dimarizio the Eagles have started talks with Inter Milan for the services of former Jorge Jesus midfielder Joao Mario. Jesus managed the 27 year old in 2015 and 2016 when he was at the helm of Sporting and has asked his current club to look into what it would take for the Portuguese International to join his Benfica side this season. Joao Mario spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow where he appeared in 22 games across all competitions, scoring once while setting up six goals. Joao Mario joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2016 but has spent the past two and half years away from the club on loans and a return to Portugal could be in the cards if both clubs can come to an agreement. Joao Mario has been capped by Portugal 46 times and was a member of Portugal's winning Euro 2016 squad.

Benfica interested in landing Real Madrid's Nacho

Benfica seem to inquire about almost all available players as they continue to look at strengthening and changing their squad for the upcoming season. The latest player that has caught the clubs attention is versatile defender Nacho Fernandez who fits Benfica's manager Jorge Jesus view of adding more veteran defensive help to the squad. The 30 year old Real Madrid player appeared in only 10 games for Real across all competitions this past season and is said to be unhappy and is considering a move away from Madrid as he looks for more playing time. Nacho who is primarily a central defender can also play both defensive back positions if the need arose and would fit a perfectly into a substitute role for the four defenders when a rest was needed. Nacho would be the third defender added since the arrival of Jorge Jesus joining Jan Vertonghen and Gilberto, the Spanish International price tag is said to be in the range of €10M-€15M.

As those arrive at Benfica, others must depart

The return of Jorge Jesus at Benfica was expected to see the club make some big changes as the former Benfica man looks to mold the squad to his competitive nature. Benfica have acquired six players over the last ten days in Jan Vertonghen, Cebolinha, Gilberto, Luca Waldschmidt, Pedrinho and Helton Leite but are also linked to a host of other players, most notably free agent striker Edinson Cavani.

Jesus has let it be known that he would like to work with 25 to 26 players on his main squad and with six players already added and potential for another two or three, expect some famaliar faces that we have come to know depart Benfica over the next few weeks as the club prepares for the upcoming Portuguese and European seasons.

Benfica announce three more signings as they stack club

Benfica continue to revamp their squad announcing three more signings in the new Jorge Jesus era, as the club looks to field a powerhouse in the Portuguese league and give their European opponents something to think about when facing them.
Benfica announced the signings today of central defender Jan Vertonghen, winger Cebolinha and striker Luca Waldschmidt.

 The 33 year old veteran Vertonghen has signed a three year deal with Benfica and comes on a free transfer after parting ways with Tottenham at seasons end. Vertonghen was rated in the top ten best central defenders in the game just last season by many of Europe's top publications and his veteran presence alongside Ruben Dias will be fun to watch. He will earn €1.5M per season with a an additional €400K per season in bonuses if certain accomplishments are met. 

Benfica make bold move for defender Vertonghen

Benfica continue to look at moves to strengthen their squad for next season and have made a bold approach to free agent central defender Jan Vertonghen. The 33 year old Belgian International spent the last eight seasons as a member of English side Tottenham, appearing in 315 games for the Spurs across all competitions while also being capped by Belgium on 118 occasions. Benfica are confident that they will sign the veteran defender with new manager Jorge Jesus pushing for a more competitive club in Portugal and Europe.

Vertonghen has not been a member of a club that has won a team trophy since he was with Ajax back in 2012 and is said to like what Benfica have presented him in terms of the deal which is said to be for three seasons and the chance to play Champions League football. Benfica are also currently negotiating with striker Edinson Cavani and landing both players would be a major coop for the Lisbon side who have already landed right back Gabriel, keeper Helton Leite and are set to announce the arrival of winger Cebolinha.

Benfica reps travel to Germany to close Waldschmidt

Benfica reps Rui Costa and Tiago Pinto are in Germany hoping to close a deal for 24 year old Freiburg striker Luca Waldschmidt. Benfica have been in talks for the left footed striker since the winter transfer window and with newly appointed manager Jorge Jesus giving the management side the green light in acquiring the youngster, the club hopes to have this deal sealed by the end of the current week. According to German daily Bild, Freiburg are said to want €12M to depart with the services of Waldschmidt who appeared in 24 games across all competitions for the German side this past season and scored seven goals while setting up three others. Benfica have also been linked heavily to Freiburg defender Robin Koch over the past few months but with Jesus' recent comments about wanting to add a more veteran presence to the back four, the trip to Freiburg will be for only one.

Jorge Jesus expects many new recruits for upcoming season

Newly appointed manager Jorge Jesus told the media that he expects the club to add as much as nine or ten reinforcements for the upcoming season in his quest to win the Portuguese League and be competitive in Europe once again. Benfica have added Boavista keeper Helton Leite and right back Gabriel to the squad over the weekend and have also extended the contract of winger Diogo Goncalves until 2025 after an impressive season on loan at Famalicao. Benfica acquired winger Pedrinho during the winter transfer window and expects winger Cebolinha to join the club early this week, bringing the total of new faces to five. 
Jesus also stated that he is looking to shore up the back line which could see the squad add at least two more players into those defensive spots and is focused on the new arrivals being veterans. Jesus is also looking for a potential big striker up front and has his eyes set on Edinson Cavani with reports over the weekend from Italy saying that the deal is done but yet to be announced. Look for Jesus to also add a playmaker to his midfield as he looks to remake the current mold of the squad. The bad news for current club players is that many may have played their last game for the club and will depart either on loan or sold off completely before the start of next season.

Brazilians arriving in Lisbon to join Benfica

The Brazilians are arriving with winter signing Pedrinho and Gilberto landing in Lisbon on Friday as the newest member and potentially member get set for discussions and physicals at Seixal. Winger Pedrinho who Benfica acquired during the winter transfer window from Corinthians made the trip to the Luz in which he had discussions with new manager Jorge Jesus while right back Gilberto arrived to finalize his move from Brazilian side Fluminense.

Gremio winger Cebolinha bid a farewell to his current club during a recent interview and is set to arrive in Lisbon next week with reports that Benfica and Gremio have reached an agreement for the Lisbon side to acquire 85% of the players rights with Gremio retaining the remaining 15%. Benfica are also set to begin discussions with Flamengo over the acquistion of secondary striker Bruno Henrique next week and have held talks with Fluminense about 19 year old striker Marcos Paulo.

Since Jesus' arrival Benfica have been linked with a host of Brazilian league players that also include Flamengo's Gerson and Santos' Lucas Verissimo on top of the current players above. Jorge Jesus is looking to remold the squad as he prepares to compete for the Portuguese crown and in European competitions next season and it is an exciting time to be a Benfica fan.

Portuguese Super Cup has date set

The Portuguese Football Federation has released a date for next seasons Candindo Oliveira Super Cup between Benfica and FC Porto and the Cup game normally played to commence the new league year. The Federation has postponed the game until December 23 due to the current world COVID-19 pandemic that has caused havoc across leagues worldwide with scheduling. Benfica and FC Porto both agreed to postpon e the game for a later date initially and at this time no venue has been disclosed that will host the cup game.

Gilberto to become Jorge Jesus first acquisition

Fluminense right back Gilberto is set to become Benfica's first acquisition under the new Jorge Jesus era with the 27 year old prepared to travel to Lisbon to complete his medicals this week. According to reports out of Portugal an agreement has been made between the two clubs for a reported €3M with only the players contract left to formalize. Gilberto officially became a member of Fluminense in January after the club purchased 50% of his playing rights after he spent the past two seasons on loan from Fiorentina who own the remaining 50%. The Brazilian right back has appeared in 60 games for Fluminense across all competitions, scoring four goals while setting up five. The acquisition of Gilberto would add another experienced right back to the fold with current starter Andre Almeida still at the club.

Jorge Jesus move is official as former manager signs with club

Jorge Jesus' has finally been announced as the next Benfica manager and will take over the reigns of the club as he "Officially" makes his return to Benfica after five years away from the club signing a two year contract. Jesus was convinced to leave Brazilian side Flamengo by current club President Luis Filipe Vieira with the promise of the club opening their purse strings and bolstering the current squad to Jesus' liking. The next week should see the club decide on who is departing via transfer and who will be loaned for next season from the current crop of players. Benfica have been linked to a flurry of players since the reports of Jesus' return to the club and have been in negotiations with several clubs and players as they attempt to strengthen the squad. Jesus is hoping that former club captain Luisao joins his current staff as an assistant as he looks to close the gap quickly between himself and the squad. The next several weeks will surely be busy for the Lisbon club as they mold the sculpture for next season.

A flurry of moves could follow end of league season

With Benfica set to take on FC Porto in the Taca de Portugal final, it marks the end of the 2019/20 season and many are expecting a flurry of moves to be announced next week by the club with the first being the not so secret return of Jorge Jesus as the clubs manager. Jesus' return does not come without a price as Benfica get ready to splash money around for the first time in years acquiring some top talent as they look to recapture the Portuguese crown as well as make a mark in European football. Benfica have been linked to the likes of Edinson Cavani, Cebolinha, Bruno Henrique, Leonardo Cabrera and Gerson to name a few. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira has promised Jesus that he will have a say on who stays and who goes within the current club while adding from abroad the players that the manager seeks to strengthen the squad. Expect Benfica to announce between three to five player signings in the next ten days with a couple of those signings sending shock waves across Portugal and Europe. Benfica has also opened dialogue with many Brazilian clubs as Jesus looks to bring over some of Campeonato's better players. The summer transfer season will have the attention of many Benfica fans as they await eagerly for the good news and some relevance once again in Europe.

Benfica will launch next seasons jerseys in Taca Final

Benfica are set for their season ending encounter against FC Porto later today in the Taca de Portugal Final, as they hope to end the season on a high note after letting the league title slip away to their arch rivals. This game is also special because Benfica have decided they will unveil next seasons jerseys in this final game for all to see instead of waiting until the start of next year.

Benfica fans have lined up the streets of Coimbra chanting Benfica songs as they let their club know they are all behind them. The Taca game will also mark the last game by intern manager Nelson Verissimo as he gets ready to hand the reigns to incoming manager Jorge Jesus.