Former Benfica defender David Luiz has let it be known through SporTV that his heart has always been with the club that gave him his start in European football and dreams of the day that he can wear the Benfica jersey once again before he calls time on his career. The 33 year old central defender joined Benfica in the winter of 2007 on loan from Brazilian side E.C. Vitoria before the club made the move permanent for a mere €500K six months later. Luiz spent three and a half seasons in Lisbon, appearing in 130 games across all competitions and was named the league player of the year in Benfica's title run of 2009/10. Benfica cashed in on Luiz's popularity across Europe in the winter of 2011, selling the defender to Chelsea for €25M and making a hefty profit from their original purchase price. Luiz went on to win the Champions League with the London club in 2012 and has spent time at PSG, a return to Chelsea and now calls Arsenal home. With the rumoured retirement of Jardel after this season Benfica could potentially be looking to add a veteran presence at center back and with David Luiz's heart already in Lisbon it will be up to the club if they want to add the body.
Check out the Top 200 Soccer Blogs every football fan must read in 2020, we currently sit #172 on the blog list.
Brazilian club Internacional have their eyes set on making a move to acquire Benfica midfielder Franco Cervi when the transfer window opens up in the summer. Internacional's manager Eduardo Coudet managed the winger while running Cervi's former club Rosario Central back in 2015-2016 and is a big fan of his former player. Cervi though is said to not be interested in departing Benfica for a return back to South America at this time and would prefer to remain with the Lisbon side. Cervi joined Benfica in the summer of 2016 for €5.7M and has appeared in 143 games for the club across all compeitions, Cervi has scored 20 goals and setting up 26 over that span. The 25 year old made his Argentina national team debut in September 2018 and scored coming on as a substitute against Iraq.
Mile Svilar has yet to appear for the main squad this season but the 20 year old Belgian shot stopper is still a part of Benfica's future plans. Svilar who has a contract until 2022 with the club joined Benfica in the summer of 2017 from Anderlecht for €4.5M and has appeared in 20 games across all competitions with six clean sheets. Svilar has spent the 2019/20 season with Benfica's B squad appearing in 20 games. Benfica are said to be interested in extending Svilar's contract past the current expiry date as the keeper currently is the clubs third choice behind starter Vlachodimos and Ivan Zlobin. The financial effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic are yet to be known to the club and Benfica are looking to safe guard an important position from within by extending Svilar.
