Benfica preparing for Enzo exit

Benfica have accepted the fact that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will have his release clause of €120M met when the January transfer window opens, amid a battle between three European clubs to land the recent World Cup winners signature. Fernandez who was named the best young player of World Cup 2022 with Argentina is set to land in Lisbon today to resume his career with Benfica, however games may remain.

Benfica have already rejected a €100M bid for the 21 year old from an unnamed club but they are set to sit with Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes in the coming days, who will present the club with the €120M that will activate Enzo's release. The three clubs that have been rumoured to be leading the way to land Enzo are Liverpool and Newcastle in England and Real Madrid in Spain. Benfica are already looking in South America for Enzo's replacement.

Dortmund linked with Grimaldo move

German club Borussia Dortmind are the latest club linked with a move for Benfica left back Alex Grimaldo in January when the Spaniard will be able to sign with any club for free with his contract at Benfica expiring at the end of the season. Dortmund are looking to replace Portuguese international Raphael Guerreiro who will be moving on from the club in the summer when his contract also expires.

The 27 year old has been with Benfica since the summer of 2016 appearing in 276 games across all competitions, scoring 22 goals while setting up 55. Grimaldo has captured eight trophies while at Benfica, with three of them being Portuguese League titles. Benfica are still hoping to re-sign Grimaldo to a new contract but will be in tough as European clubs circle.

Benfica captain on Spanish sides radar

Benfica captain Nicolas Otamendi, fresh off capturing World Cup 2022 with Argentina has jumped on the radar of Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Sevilla with his performance during the tournament. The 34 year old was one of the better defenders during the competition if not the best and has shown that he still has a lot left in the tank going forward to offer clubs.

Otamendi joined Benfica in the summer of 2020 from Manchester City for a €15M fee and is signed until the end of the season. Clubs will be able to negotiate with Otamendi when the transfer window opens in January and make a deal that could see the Argentinian move on a free transfer during the summer months. Otamendi has appeared in 104 games across all competitions for Benfica, scoring twice while setting up a pair.

Benfica working on new Schmidt contract

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt fresh off his second manager of the month in Portugal is being highly watched around Europe with Tottenham's name already linked with a move for 55 year old German wizard, who has yet to lose a competitive game for Benfica this season across all competitions.

Schmidt is signed with Benfica until the summer of 2024 but the club is hoping to convince their skipper to sign a new deal with a higher buy out clause to keep Europe's bigger clubs at bay. Schmidt is preparing the club for their upcoming Taca da Liga game tomorrow against Moreirense as he looks to extend the unbeaten run to 28 games.

Portugal trio return back to Benfica

Benfica's Portuguese international trio Goncalo Ramos, Antonio Silva and Joao Mario returned to Lisbon yesterday after their quarter-final exit at World Cup 2022 and will now be subject to an evaluation by the club, who will define a plan tailored to each of the players based on their usage at the tournament.

The trio combined for 326 minutes while at World Cup 2022 with Portugal, Ramos led the way in minutes played appearing in 152 while scoring a hat trick against Switzerland in the nations round of 16 game. Benfica's next game will be in League Cup action against Moreirense on Saturday and it is expected that the trio will not see any action.

John Brooks set to move in January

Benfica are ready to let 29 year old American defender John Brooks leave the club when the January transfer window opens, taking into the account the return of three center backs from injury over the last month and the arrival of youngster Antonio Silva, Benfica now have an abundance of players all fighting for playing minutes.

Brooks has dropped down the clubs depth chart and sits as the sixth option behind, Nico Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Morato, Lucas Verissimo and Joao Victor. Brooks was signed on deadline day when Benfica had the latter three defenders injured and promoted a green Antonio Silva to the squad. 

Brooks has appeared in five games for the club this season across all competitions, totaling 233 minutes of action.

Goncalo Ramos says "Hello" to the World

Goncalo Ramos stepped into the biggest shoes in Portuguese history when national team manager Fernando Santos gave him the nod over legend Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal's round of 16 encounter against Switzerland and the 21 year old youngster just did what he always does and that is score goals. 

Ramos who came into the start with a total of thirty-three minutes under his belt for the national side, opened the scoring for Portugal at the 17 minute mark, with a thunderous shot into the top shelf off a Joao Felix pass and just out of the reach of the Swiss keeper. Ramos would then score his second of the game when he would direct a low Dalot cross pass into the goal to extend Portugal's lead. Ramos would then make history by finishing off his hat trick in the 6-1 Portugal victory with a chip shot after a nifty pass from Joao Felix, stunning the world of football and becoming the first player this World Cup to score three goals in a game.

Ramos became the youngest player to score a hat trick at the World Cup since football legend Pele completed the same feat in 1958 at the tender age of 17 and looks to have cemented his spot in the starting eleven when Portugal take on Morocco Saturday.

 

Benfica set for Sevilla friendly next week

Benfica will take on Spanish club Sevilla in a friendly that will take place during World Cup 2022 as both clubs look to stay match ready with their current set of players not participating in the tournament as they prepare for the resumption of league play in a semi-competitive match. Benfica and Sevilla will play their friendly on December 11th at the Estadio Algarve with tickets on sale now for €10 to €15M.

Helton Leite looking to move in January

Benfica back up keeper Helton Leite is currently unhappy with his lack of playing time at the club and he has reached a breaking point after failing to appear in Benfica's recent league cup games. The 32 year old is said to be ready to move on from the club and would like to leave as early as January when the transfer window opens.

Leite has a contract with Benfica until the summer of 2025 but feels he could be a number one keeper if given the opportunity with another club and although he now holds a Portuguese passport he is open to a move back to his native Brazil if it affords him the playing time that he is looking for with their season set to start in the new year.