Benfica scouts were in Algarve recently watching a friendly between Swedish club Norrkoping and Danish side Brondby on January 31 with their eyes set on Montenegro International Sead Haksabanovic. The 20 year old midfielder who is on loan from West Ham with the Swedish side until the summer joined the Hammers from Halmstad in 2017. Haksabanovic who regularly plays the left midfield spot that is currently occupied by Rafa Silva and Franco Cervi appeared in 34 games across all competitions for Norrkoping scoring eight goals and setting up another eight. The acquisition of Haksabanovic could mean Franco Cervi's time with the club is over as he has been linked with a return back to his native Argentina to join Boca Juniors. Mexican side Tigres has also revealed that they will be in the race to land Cervi once the transfer window re-opens in the summer and Benfica's interest in Haksabanovic makes sense with the potential departure of the hard working Cervi.
Benfica have released information on the extent of the injury suffered to captain and central defender Jardel during the clubs Taca de Portugal semi-final game against Famalicao. Jardel suffered an injury in the first half of the game to his internal lateral ligament of his right knee and the injury will see him unavailable to the club for the next two months. Jardel has only appeared in 10 games across all competitions this season as the veteran defender has taken a back seat to current starters Ruben Dias and Ferro. Jardel has been a member of Benfica since the winter of 2011 and has appeared in 258 total games for the club, the 33 year old Brazilians career is winding down but the veteran is still counted on by the club to provide the leadership in the locker room to many of the teams young stars and will be missed.
Benfica manager Bruno Lage in an earlier interview this week in Portugal admitted to being interested in West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski during the January transfer window. The 34 year old Polish keeper joined the Hammers during the summer transfer window of 2018 from Swansea City and has been West Ham's best player ever since. Fabianski's heroics have not gone unnoticed and Lage was hoping to land the veteran as insurance in case of an injury to current starting keeper Vlachodimos. Benfica have been on the hunt for a veteran keeper since the summer but have not been able to acquire one at a club friendly price. Fabianski could be available in the summer months as West Ham fight to avoid relegation and a fall to the second division would surely see the Polish International on the move. Benfica currently have youngster Ivan Zlobin as the clubs number two as Lage's hopes for a veteran went unfulfilled.
