Benfica and Serbian midfielder Zivkovic have agreed to part ways after the 24 year old winger spent the past four seasons as a member of the club, winning two league titles and one Taca de Portugal. Zivkovic joined Benfica in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer after spending time with Partizan and appeared in 88 games across all competitions for the club scoring four goals and setting up twenty-four. Zivkovic fell out of favour with the club this past season and was informed by manager Jorge Jesus that he was not in his plans going forward, hence the start of negotiations between player and club to move on began almost instantly. The Serbian International is now free to join any club.
Benfica have their eyes on Ponte Preta keeper Ivan as the potential replacement for current starting keeper Vlachodimos if the latter is to move on this summer with rumours swirling that Newcastle are ready to pounce on the Greek International. Vlachodimos has a buy out clause of €60M and Newcastle are hoping that the Benfica keeper is in the mold of former club keepers Ederson and Jan Oblak and are confident that he can be had for less then the buy out clause. Manager Jorge Jesus has identified keeper Ivan as his top target and has been interested in the 23 year old
since his time at Flamengo.
With the collapse of negotiations between Benfica and free agent striker Edinson Cavani due to the players exuberant salary demands, Benfica continue their search for an elite striker for the upcoming season and reports from Spain have the club now seriously considering a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid are also hunting for attacking options and with one year remaining on the Spanish International's contract, Atletico could be open to discuss a sale for the 31 year old.
Super agent Jorge Mendes is Costa's representative and has brokered many deals between the two clubs over the years with the most recent being Joao Felix's sale for €126M last summer. Diego Costa appeared in 30 games across all competitions for Atletico last year, scoring five times while setting up another five and last scored double digits in a season while a member of Chelsea four seasons ago. New Benfica manager Jorge Jesus' attacking style could revitalize Costa's career which has seen a decline due to injuries and form since joining Atletico in 2018.
