Benfica ready to go after Santa Clara forward

The season is not even three days done and rumours coming out of Portugal seem to be every hour on the hour, the latest linking Benfica with Santa Clara winger Carlos Junior. Benfica seem keen to shore up their club this off season within the league after spending a record last season abroad on acquisitions with little to show for it. Carlos Junior has had a fantastic season with the Azorian club, helping them secure a place in the newly created UEFA Europa Conference League after finishing sixth in Portugal. The 25 year old winger scored 16 goals across all competitions while setting up an additional four goals in 36 appearances.

Carlos joined Santa Clara during the 2019/20 season from Portuguese side Louletano on loan before a permanent move was arranged this past summer between the clubs. Carlos arrived in Portugal in the winter of 2019 at Rio Ave but was let go just six months later, a move the Vila da Conde club is surely regrets. Benfica have also been linked in recent weeks up front with Portimonense striker Beto and have already acquired Maritimo striker Rodrigo Pinho on a free transfer. No details of what it would cost Benfica to acquire the 25 year old but it could be in the €5M to €7.5M range if no players move the other way from Benfica to Santa Clara permanently or on a loan spell.