Benfica have set their sights on acquiring Iranian striker Taremi from Rio Ave during the summer transfer window as the club looks within the league to bolster their squad next season as opposed to splashing millions of dollars abroad amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. The 27 year old joined Rio Ave in the summer from Qatar side Al Gharafa on a free transfer and has scored 11 goals in 27 games across all competitions. Benfica will have competition for Taremi's services from rivals FC Porto and Sporting but are counting on their good relationship with Rio Ave to seal the deal for Taremi.
Benfica are kicking tires when it comes to a potential replacement for Alex Grimaldo who has been heavily linked with a departure to Tottenham before the start of next season. The Eagles are said to be interested in Villarreal's 23 year old left back Alfonso Pedraza who has spent the season on loan at Real Betis but has failed to see regular minutes with the Sevilla side, playing behind current starter Alex Moreno. Pedraza has appeared in 12 games across all competitions this season after appearing in 82 games the previous two seasons between Villarreal and Alaves. Villarreal are said to be asking €10M for the sale of Pedraza which is in the ball park that Benfica would be open to spending on the former Spainish U21 international.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has seen the stoppage of league play since March 12 and some of the only good news coming out of this current world crisis is that Benfica has seen its list of injured players return back to health. Andre Almeida, Gabriel and Jardel are all awaiting the green light to return to training without limitations in preparation for the league resuming regular play down the road. Benfica would welcome the return to full strength of the squad with two of its regular starting eleven in Almeida and Gabriel back as options for Bruno Lage and Jardel would return as the third choice option at the center back position which the club currently lacks. The Portuguese league is currently considering resuming play at the end of May with the whole competition finishing the remaining games under quarantine in the Algarve in empty stadiums but what would be a boom for television viewership.
