Benfica open to offers for right back Amar Dedic after World Cup

Once the dust settles after World Cup 2026, Benfica are reportedly open to entertain serious offers for their impressive young right-back, Amar Dedic. The 23-year-old Bosnian international has enjoyed a breakout season in Portugal, catching the eye of several top European clubs with his dynamic performances.

Benfica acquired Dedic from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2025 for approximately €12 million. The versatile defender, who can also feature on the left, has a contract until 2030 with a €50 million release clause. Previously a product of Salzburg’s academy (with loans at Wolfsberger and Marseille), Dedic quickly established himself as a key figure at Estadio da Luz.

In the 2025-26 campaign, Dedic has been a revelation. He has made over 20 league starts, contributing 1 goal and 4 assists in Portuguese League action while logging significant minutes across domestic and European competitions. Known for his attacking overlaps, defensive solidity and stamina, his displays have bolstered Benfica’s backline and added width in transitions.

Premier League heavyweights Manchester City have been strongly linked, with reports of interest dating back to January and bids potentially going as high as €60 million. Liverpool have also been mentioned, while Fenerbahce and Atletico Madrid have shown recent interest.

With Benfica historically adept at profitable sales, a big money exit will fund further squad rebuilding and the club is hoping for a breakout performance by Dedic at World Cup 2026 before they start listening to offers. For Dedic, a move to a top club would mark another step in his rapid rise. Fans will watch closely as the summer transfer window rolls in.    

Benfica on way to becoming The Unbeatable Three

As the 2025-26 Portuguese League season reaches its climax, Benfica stands on the brink of a remarkable achievement. With one match remaining, the Eagles are unbeaten across 33 league games, 22 wins and 11 draws, boasting a solid goal difference. It's a defensive masterclass and testament to squad resilience under pressure.

Yet, football's cruelty shines through on the season. Despite this flawless record, Benfica are set to finish third in Portugal. Porto have clinched the title, while Sporting just edged them on points in Week 33. An undefeated campaign that would normally spark title parades will instead end potentially in Europa League qualification. The "what if" lingers heavily as a single slip avoided could have presented different results in the standings but instead it look to be a season that has slipped away.

 

Enter Jose Mourinho. The man once dubbed "The Special One" for his transformative brilliance at FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid now he looks to author a different legacy at his boyhood club. Leading Benfica to an unbeaten league season cements his tactical genius once more. From parking the bus to orchestrating controlled dominance, Mourinho has turned potential fragility into ironclad consistency but what he could soon be known as is "The Unbeatable Three", the coach who delivered an invincible domestic run yet watched the ultimate prizes evade him to finish third.

It's a paradoxical crown, historic but bittersweet. Missing the Champions League would sting deeply. The revenue gap between it and the Europa League is massive. The Champions League phase alone brings tens of millions in prize money and broadcasting rights that Benfica desperately needs for squad investment. The Europa League offers prestige and a path, but lacks the financial firepower and glamour of Europe's elite competition. For a club of Benfica's stature, it's a costly missed opportunity that could impact recruitment and squad depth next season.

Mourinho's future remains uncertain amid Real Madrid links, but this unbeaten feat ensures his Benfica chapter will be remembered. Special? Undoubtedly. Undefeated? Absolutely. Triumphant? Not quite for The Unbeatable Third.

Benfica have eyes set on trio of managers if Mourinho departs

As speculation goes into overdrive around Jose Mourinho’s potential return to Real Madrid this summer, Benfica are already preparing for life after the Special One. The Portuguese giants have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of coaching talents, that include current Fulham bench boss Marco Silva, ex-Manchester United and Sporting manager Ruben Amorim and former Flamengo coach Filipe Luis.

Marco Silva has impressed at Fulham since 2021, stabilizing the club in the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship in 2021-22. The 47-year-old has previously won the Greek Super League with Olympiacos (2015-16), the Taca de Portugal with Sporting (2014-15) and the Segunda Liga with Estoril (2011-12). His pragmatic, attacking style and experience navigating mid-table Premier League battles make him a sensible, low-risk option for Benfica.

Ruben Amorim remains one of Portugal’s brightest managerial prospects despite his challenging spell at Manchester United. At Sporting, he delivered two Portuguese League titles (2020-21, 2023-24), along with two Taca da Liga triumphs and a Portuguese Super Cup. His high-pressing, fluid 3-4-3 system transformed Sporting into consistent champions and earned him widespread praise. A return to Lisbon could see him return to his former club in which he captured three league titles as a player. 

Filipe Luis, a club legend as a player, has enjoyed a meteoric rise as a coach. In a short time at Flamengo, he secured major silverware including the 2025 Copa Libertadores, a Brazilian League title and a Copa do Brasil. His tactical acumen and leadership have drawn European interest. Bringing the former left-back to Europe would inject passion and a different set of fresh ideas. 

With Mourinho potentially departing for Madrid, Benfica must choose between proven domestic success (Amorim), steady Premier League know-how (Silva), or inspirational foreign momentum (Filipe Luís). Whoever comes into the club will face huge expectations to restore the Eagles’ dominance. The summer promises to be an entertaining one as Benfica look to find the successful piece of the puzzle.  

Benfica control destiny with two games to go for second spot

Benfica control their own destiny for second place with two games to go in the 2025-26 Portuguese League and the final stretch at hand. Benfica sit tied with Sporting on points in second place with 76 points each from 32 matches. Under Jose Mourinho, the Eagles remain unbeaten in the league to date which is a remarkable achievement but will not win the title. If they remain unbeaten in their final two game it would equal their 1977-78 season which saw the club go undefeated and also lose the title to Porto.

With two fixtures remaining, Benfica control their own destiny for a crucial runners-up finish. They hold the head-to-head advantage over Sporting if the two clubs are to finish even in points. Winning both games would seal second place and secure direct Champions League qualification for next season, rewarding their defensive solidity and consistency.

The final matches offer a chance to complete an historic invincible campaign, boosting morale ahead of European commitments. Finishing second also adds intrigue with Aston Villa now in the Europa League Final. A victory by Aston Villa would hand them the trophy and a spot in next season’s Champions League league phase but if the club automatically qualifies through a Top 4 spot in the Premier League then Portugal's runner up will enter the League phase of the competition directly.

Benfica fans will be watching Villa closely while focusing on securing their domestic league's second place. Two wins stand between them and a strong platform for next season. The Eagles’ fate remains in their own hands and with games at home to Braga (Week 33) and on the road against Estoril (Week 34) a winning finish would push Sporting aside.

Benfica eye experienced free agent Stefan de Vrij as potential Otamendi successor

As league seasons start to wrap up, Benfica have emerged as strong contenders to sign veteran Dutch centre-back Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer this summer. The 34-year-old Inter Milan defender is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season when his contract expires. Reports coming out of Italy indicate Benfica, alongside Olympiacos and a few other European clubs, are said to have already made offers for the experienced defender.

De Vrij could perfectly slot in to replace club captain Nicolas Otamendi, whose current deal also runs out at the end of the season. The Argentine veteran has been a stalwart since joining from Manchester City in 2020, but age and a change in direction at the club may open the door for a high-quality, cost-effective replacement.

 

Born in 1992, the tall right-footed defender boasts an impressive career. He rose through Feyenoord’s academy, making 135 league appearances before moving to Lazio in the summer of 2014 for €7 million. He would then join Inter in the summer of 2018 on a free transfer, he has racked up over 210 Serie A appearances, scoring 12 goals, contributing to two Serie A titles in 2021 and 2024 and multiple Coppa Italia and Supercoppa wins.

Internationally, de Vrij has earned 79 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 4 goals and featuring in major tournaments. Known for his aerial dominance, composure on the ball and leadership, he remains a reliable performer despite his age.

For Benfica, signing de Vrij would bring immediate defensive stability and a provide a veteran presence in the back four. It would be a smart move to refresh the backline while maintaining their competitiveness. Fans will be watching closely to see if the experienced Dutchman trades Milan for Lisbon over the summer months.
 

Benfica and Sporting share interest in Kairat Almaty keeper

In an interesting development, Benfica are said to have set their sights on promising 22-year-old, Kairat Almaty's keeper Temirlan Anarbekov. The young shot-stopper has turned heads with his standout performances during this seasons UEFA Champions League, delivering crucial saves and showing composure well beyond his years against some of Europe's top clubs.

According to reports from Kazakh media, Benfica are said to be serious about acquiring Anarbekov, but they will face stiff competition from city rivals Sporting. The Lisbon derby dynamic adds extra spice to the pursuit of the Kazakh keeper as both Portuguese giants battle for a high-upside talent who could become a long-term solution between the posts. Acquiring him wouldn’t break the bank as estimates suggest a fee in the low millions with likely add-ons could be enough to secure his services.

This move appears tied to Benfica’s plans for their current starting keeper Anatoliy Trubin. The Ukrainian international has attracted significant Premier League attention, with Benfica reportedly open to cashing in on the soon to be 25-year-old who has a price tag in the €40 million range. Selling Trubin at that price would provide substantial funds to reinvest in the squad and hand Anarbekov the reigns as the club's new starting keeper.

This move has the classic Benfica strategy of acquiring a player for a low cost and developing them to sell higher in the future. Whether the Eagles can pip rivals Sporting remains to be seen, but the battle for Anarbekov's signature promises to be an intriguing off field battle in the coming weeks between two of Portugal's top clubs.