Benfica's search for center back takes them to Turkey

With the January transfer window set to open in less then four weeks, Benfica continue their search for a center back to add to the club as they look to strengthen the squad. Benfica have recently been in talks with Brazilian club Santos for defender Lucas Verissimo but have not presented terms to that liking of Santos board and reports now coming out of Turkey have Benfica linked to Trabzonspor center back Vitor Hugo who joined the Turkish side in October from Palmeiras for €3.2M, signing a four year contract. The 29 year old Hugo has appeared in seven games since joining Trabzonspor and is in his second stint in Europe after spending a spell with Fiorentina from 2017-2019. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus hopes to have a few reinforcements when January comes and Hugo is just the latest in what is becoming a long list of center backs linked to the club.

Benfica look to newly acquired Boavista right back

Benfica continue to search for an adequate replacement on the right side of the back four and reports out of Portugal have the club looking into newly acquired Boavista right back Reggie Cannon. Boavista acquired Cannon this past summer from Major League Soccer club FC Dallas for €2.5M and the American international has adapted well to the Portuguese League appearing in all nine regular season games for Boavista. With regular starter Andre Almeida out for a few more months injured, the clubs only options are Gilberto and Diogo Goncalves who is learning a new position. Jorge Jesus would like to add another option at the right back position as early as January and Benfica have the 22 year old Cannon in their sights. Boavista are said to be looking for around €10M to move Cannon have already turned down a €5M offer from an unnamed European club.

Benfica manager refuses to discuss William Carvalho move

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus refused to answer a question during a recent interview with reporters when he was asked about Benfica links to Real Betis and former Sporting midfielder William Carvalho. According to Spanish paper Mundo Desportivo Real Betis will look to move Carvalho when the January transfer window opens and are looking for €20M for the Portuguese international. Carvalho who is another former Jorge Jesus player from his Sporting days last played in Portugal in 2018 and it is said that Benfica are very interested in the services of the 28 year old. Benfica could look to move Julian Weigl to help finance a move for Carvalho and with the German's recent change in representatives his departure from the club is only starting to heat up. Jesus did say in his presser that he trusts Julian Weigl, Gabriel and Samaris in the position of defensive midfielder and although William Carvalho is an excellent player it was not important to discuss a player that was not part of his current club.