Jorge Jesus has halted the loan move that was set to happen for Mile Svilar after Benfica had agreed to terms with Belgian side Heerenveen but the new Benfica manager has decided that he wants the 20 year old keeper to remain a bit longer with the club training at Seixal. Svilar was acquired by Benfica in the summer of 2017 for €2.5M from Anderlecht and has appeared 21 times for Benfica across all competitions since then. Svilar's only appearance for Benfica's main squad during this past season was a 4-0 win over Aves in Week 33 but he did appear in 20 games for Benfica's B squad were he had six clean sheets. Svilar may still depart the club on loan before the start of the season but Jesus wants to see what he has in the keeper before any decision is made on his future.
Benfica are showing no signs off slowing down in the transfer market and according to Italian site GianLuca Dimarizio the Eagles have started talks with Inter Milan for the services of former Jorge Jesus midfielder Joao Mario. Jesus managed the 27 year old in 2015 and 2016 when he was at the helm of Sporting and has asked his current club to look into what it would take for the Portuguese International to join his Benfica side this season. Joao Mario spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow where he appeared in 22 games across all competitions, scoring once while setting up six goals. Joao Mario joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2016 but has spent the past two and half years away from the club on loans and a return to Portugal could be in the cards if both clubs can come to an agreement. Joao Mario has been capped by Portugal 46 times and was a member of Portugal's winning Euro 2016 squad.
Benfica seem to inquire about almost all available players as they continue to look at strengthening and changing their squad for the upcoming season. The latest player that has caught the clubs attention is versatile defender Nacho Fernandez who fits Benfica's manager Jorge Jesus view of adding more veteran defensive help to the squad. The 30 year old Real Madrid player appeared in only 10 games for Real across all competitions this past season and is said to be unhappy and is considering a move away from Madrid as he looks for more playing time. Nacho who is primarily a central defender can also play both defensive back positions if the need arose and would fit a perfectly into a substitute role for the four defenders when a rest was needed. Nacho would be the third defender added since the arrival of Jorge Jesus joining Jan Vertonghen and Gilberto, the Spanish International price tag is said to be in the range of €10M-€15M.
