The reports out of Portugal are starting to pick up steam in what could be a Ruben in place of Ruben scenario taking place at Benfica next season. The Ruben's that are being talked about are current Benfica center back Ruben Dias and Olympiakos center back Ruben Semedo. With Benfica coming to terms that a Ruben Dias departure is imminent next season the club has made the Portuguese International and former Sporting center back Semedo its top target to replace Dias in the middle of the Benfica defense. Olympiakos' loan interest in winger Jota could make a move for Semedo more affordable with reports out of Greece stating the defender could be had for under €10M. Semedo has appeared in 37 games across all competitions for Olympiakos this season, scoring on five occasions. Benfica have said that they would like to see the €100M buy out clause for Dias met before they consider moving the 22 year old defender but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic effecting the clubs financials the youngster could be had for much less with the club said to be willing to accept between €60M-€70M for his rights.
Benfica are set to complete retesting for COVID-19 after the positive test to youngster David Tavares was detected in the original tests completed last Friday. The entire football department of Benfica which include the players, coaches, support staff and more will be retested tomorrow in accordance with the rules imposed by the General Directorate of Health. Benfica will have swab samples taken from the respiratory zones and blood samples to view if any immunity has been acquired by the individual taken at the same time as the club prepares for the season restart which was announced today by the league to be June 4th.
Benfica have announced their first positive result of COVID-19 as youngster David Tavares' test samples have returned positive, the midfielder is asymptomatic and currently in isolation away from the club. The 21 year old has already been subjected to a counter analysis which confirmed the initial result. The initial positive test result was conducted on May 8 when the club went through full testing of the squad, technical team and football staff as well as service providers who have direct contact with the club. Benfica also announced that the club will continue to train in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Directorate-General of Health and will have all players, technical team members, staff and service providers that had direct contact with Tavares will have new tests completed in the coming days. Tavares has appeared in two games with the main club this season across all competitions, coming on both times as a substitute.
