Benfica have completed their participation in this seasons International Champions Cup, going a perfect three for three and on the cusp of winning this summers season title. Benfica opened the competition with a convincing 3-0 victory over Mexican side Guadalajara at California's Levi's Stadium.. Raul de Tomas, Rafa Silva and Seferovic scored the markers for the Lisbon side. Benfica next faced Italian side Fiorentina at Red Bull Arena the home of MLS club New York Red Bull, the club needed an injury time goal from newly acquired Caio Lucas to win 2-1, Seferovic opened the scoring early in this game. Benfica then travelled to New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium where they faced another Italian club in AC Milan. Benfica's slow start almost cost the club their perfect bid but a lucky second half goal by Taarabt that took a deflection into the goal off a Milan player earned Benfica the 1-0 victory. Benfica are at least guaranteed second spot and only a Manchester United victory over AC Milan by three or more goals would take the ICC title away from Benfica.
Wolverhampton have returned to Portugal were they have their eyes set on the pair of Benfica youngsters. The Wolves are said to have made offers to the Lisbon club for both central defender Ruben Dias and midfielder Gedson Fernandes. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira has no interest in letting either player go at this time and Wolverhampton would need to meet the players buy out clauses if they are to acquire either player. Ruben Dias' current buy out clause is €66M but Benfica are currently in negotiations with the player to sign a new contract with an increased salary and the new contract would include a buy out clause of €88M. Gedson Fernandes negotiated a new contract with Benfica last summer and holds a €120M buy out, it would be safe to say that Wolverhampton may not be looking to spend €186M to acquire both players and are hoping to negotiate a smaller buy price.
Benfica look to not have closed their doors on adding another striker as the club has inquired about Freiburg's Luca Waldschmidt. Benfica have already acquired strikers Raul de Tomas, Jhonder Cadiz and Carlos Vinicius during the summer transfer window to date but are also interested in adding the 2018 Euro U21 leading goal scorer. The 23 year old Waldschmidt arrived at Freiburg last summer from Hamburger for €5.7M and scored nine times across all competitions while appearing in 32 games. The clubs have yet to have any serious discussions about the striker and any talks are at the preliminary stage at this time but Waldshmidt is valued at around the €12M mark.
