Benfica on urgent hunt for a winger after Akturkoglu sale

Benfica confirmed the €22.5 million sale, plus bonuses that could see the deal reach €25 million of Turkish winger Kerem Akturkoglu to Fenerbahce. The 26-year-old, who joined from Galatasaray for €12 million last year, had been a key creative force, contributing 16 goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

Akturkoglu scored the winner against his new club just days ago to send Benfica to the league phase of the Champions League and Fenerbahce home but the Turkish International had a wish to return to his native home and Benfica granted him that wish today.

His exit leaves a void in Benfica's attacking lineup, prompting an urgent search for a forward replacement to bolster their title challenge under coach Bruno Lage. Benfica announced a key reinforcement yesterday with the arrival of attacking midfielder Heorhii Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk on loan and now look to patch up another part of their squad.

Benfica's scouting network have already found a few pieces to the puzzle that could inject pace, creativity and be goal threats. The names that the club have been linked to in the past few days include Levante's Carlos Alvarez, Sevilla's Dodi Lukebakio and Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura.

Any of these three wingers will run the club between €20 to €40 million to acquire with Amoura being the gem of the bunch. Benfica could also turn their attention back to their league and search out a pair of Braga wingers in Ricardo Horta and Roger Fernandes to strengthen the squad.

No matter the direction that the squad takes and what player or players arrive, what we know is that the club is weaker today after the Akturkoglu sale and need to urgently fill the hole tomorrow over next week.