Benfica and Argentinian club Newell Old Boys are working on an agreement to make Cristian Lema's loan move permanent and with Newell struggling to come with the €3M that Benfica are looking for, Newell are offering Benfica a deal that would involve players in return. Newell are said to be offering Benfica a choice of 19 year old forward Tobias Donsati, 20 year old midfielder Anibal Moreno and 22 year old midfielder Jeronimo Cacciabue to clinch the permanent move. Lema joined Benfica from Belgrano in the summer of 2018 on a free transfer but only appeared in two games for the Eagles before loan spells at Penarol and this past season with Newell. Lema has appeared in 22 games for Newell and has scored 4 goals of the three players being offered Cacciabue is said to be the most ready to join the main club while Moreno is the player with the most promise. Benfica and Newell will continue to work on coming to an agreement until June 30 when Lema's loan move will end and he will return to Benfica.
Benfica have been linked to another summer improvement according to reports out of Portugal and this time it is Tigres attacking midfielder Leonardo Fernandez who is currently on loan with another Mexican side Toluca. The 21 year old Uruguayan joined Tigres in the summer of 2019 from CA Fenix but has yet to make an appearance with Tigres. Fernandez has appeared in 11 games for Toluca across all competitions, scoring eight times while setting up three goals. The under 23 international is the owner of a left foot that has been making waves in Mexico and plays a coveted position by Benfica which is the #8 role. Tigres is looking for €15M to part with Fernandez's services, a sum that Benfica are close to acquiring from West Brom for the sale of Filip Krovinovic. Jorge Mendes is said to be leading the negotiations on Benfica's behalf and was set to meet with Fernandez's agent Jorge Chijane but that meeting had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benfica could find what they are looking for right in their own backyard when it comes to strengthening the center back spot for the club this off season. Benfica will more then likely see Ruben Dias depart and with reports coming from both Portugal and Spain, the club could also see the departure of Ferro and captain Jardel when all is said and done. Benfica have promising youngster Morato to look forward to in the future but at the tender age of 18, the young Brazilian defender is still too green to take over a regular role with the main squad. Benfica have also been linked to 23 year old Freiburg defender Robin Koch who could come with a €20M price tag and be more then an adequate starter with the club but the squad would still be short at least two defenders that they could rely on to play regular minutes.
