Newcastle will need to wait on Vlachodimos

According to Portuguese paper O Jogo, Benfica starting keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos is on the radar of Premiership club Newcastle who would like to acquire the Greek International when the winter transfer window opens next month. Newcastle are open to beginning talks with Benfica shortly but the Lisbon side is said to not be interested in discussing any move for the clubs current number one until the end of the current season.

Vlachodimos spent his youth career at Stuttgart before moving on to join Greek club Panathinaikos on a free transfer in the summer of 2016. Benfica scouts were impressed with the now 27 year old's performances with the Greek outfit and Benfica made the move to acquire Vlachodimos in the summer of 2018 for €2.4M. Vlachodimos has appeared in 142 games across all competitions since joining the club and maintained 58 clean sheets while capturing one League title and a Super Cup.

Barcelona still locked on Benfica left back Grimaldo

Barcelona have locked onto Benfica left back Alex Grimaldo as the heir apparent to long time starting left back Jordi Alba who will be 33 before seasons end. Barcelona had been linked previously with their former home grown talent when Ronald Koeman was at the helm but the change in manager to Xavi has only intensified the clubs desire to land Grimaldo for next season after his display against the club in Champions League action.

Grimaldo left Barcelona's B team in the winter of 2016 for a mere €2.1M and has been Benfica's regular starting left back since the 2017/18 season. Grimaldo has appeared in 223 career games with the club across all competitions, scoring 16 goals while setting up an additional 45. Benfica are intent on holding onto the 26 year old Spaniard as they await a minimum bid of €25M-€30M to consider letting him depart.

 

Benfica and FC Porto set to clash in Taca de Portugal

Benfica and FC Porto will take their rivalry to the Taca de Portugal after both clubs were drawn together yesterday for the round of 16. The game will take place at Porto's Estadio do Dragao with a firm date yet to be set but the encounter will happen just before the holiday season kicks in, anywhere from December 21st to the 23rd.

Benfica and FC Porto will be facing off in the Taca for the 37th time with Benfica leading the head to head encounters 21-10, with 5 games ending in a draw. The last time the two clubs met in the competition was in the Final two seasons back a 2-1 FC Porto victory. The two clubs last encounter in the round of 16 happened way back in 2000-01 edition which was also a victory for FC Porto.