Benfica and Tottenham re-ignite talks for Pizzi

Benfica and Tottenham have begun talks once again on the move of midfielder Pizzi to the English Premier side. The two clubs spoke in the summer about a move but nothing materialized as Benfica hold firm on a €20M price tag for the 31 year old Portuguese international. Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho is said to be a fan of Pizzi and wants to add the player as part of the clubs attacking mix for next season. Pizzi has been a member of Benfica since being acquired from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2013 but spent his first season on loan at Espanyol before returning to the Lisbon side permanently in the summer of 2014. Pizzi has appeared in 312 games for the club across all competitions, scoring 87 goals while setting up 89.

Pizzi has been an integral part of Benfica's rise back to the top of Portuguese football over the past few seasons capturing, four league titles, two league cups, three super cups and a Taca de Portugal while being named the league's most valuable player during the 2016-2017 season. Pizzi was also a member of Portugal's UEFA Nations League title winners in 2019. Pizzi has been linked with moves away from Benfica over the years but has remained at the club but this could be the players final chance to make a move to one of Europe's richest clubs and a chance to apply his trade in what many consider the worlds best football league.

Benfica move on from Jose Gomes

Benfica has come to an agreement with Bulgarian club Cherno More Varna on the permanent transfer of striker Jose Gomes, ending a relationship with the 21 year old striker that dates back to 2012. Cherno More is managed by former Benfica player Ilian Iliev and plays in Bulgaria's top league, Gomes will join fellow Portuguese players Leandro Andrade and Rodrigo Vilela at the club. Gomes appeared in five games with Benfica's main squad, totaling 118 minutes and failed to score or provide an assist in that span. Gomes was named the player of the tournament in 2016 when Portugal won the Euro U17 tournament, scoring seven goals in six games during tournament play but could not transfer his success to the main squad. Gomes spent the last couple of seasons on loan with Portimonense and Polish side Lechia Gdansk but was unimpressive during both loan spells. Gomes will get a fresh start in Bulgarian football and at the young age of 21 could still live up to the tag as one of the clubs more promising Seixal academy players if he gets his game back on track. No terms of the deal have been announced at this time.

Benfica file complaint against Sporting with Federation

Benfica file grievance with the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary council against Sporting for the potential illegal use of Joao Palhinha during the clubs recent Lisbon derby encounter on February 1. The Sporting midfielder had received his fifth yellow card of the season against Boavista the week prior which leads to an automatic one game suspension but Sporting appealed to the Central Administrative Court who suspended the decision that had suspended Palhinha from playing in the Lisbon Derby. Palhinha came on as a substitute during the game and was on the field when Sporting scored the winner in additional time which motivated Benfica to file the grievance against Sporting for going through the civil courts, something that is not permitted by sports regulations. Palhinha has continued to play for Sporting while his suspension is under analysis as Sporting risk being deducted points and fined if the disciplinary council rule in favour of Benfica.