Flamengo interested in Benfica shot stopper

Benfica's 31 year old keeper Helton Leite has been linked with a loan move to Flamengo according to reports coming from blogs dedicated to the Brazilian club from Rio de Janeiro. Flamengo who are led by Portuguese manager Paulo Sousa are looking for a new shot stopper and Helton's name has been circulating as a top target to take over the number one role with the club. 

Benfica are said to be looking for €500K for the loan move that would see the keeper depart the Lisbon club until the summer of 2023. Helton has appeared in 32 games across all competitions for Benfica since joining from Boavista in the summer of 2020 and has kept 14 clean sheets in those starts. Helton lost out to Vlachodimos for the number one role at Benfica and has only appeared in six games this season with only one coming in league play.

Benfica turn to Greece for Rafa replacement?

Benfica look ready to cash in on winger Rafa Silva when the summer transfer window opens later this year with the 28 year old Portuguese International already heavily linked to potential suitors Wolverhampton and Newcastle in England. Benfica are said to have put a €50M price tag on Rafa who has scored 11 goals while providing 17 helpers across all competitions this season.

Benfica are already in the hunt for Rafa's replacement and have been linked with AEK Athens winger Levi Garcia. The Trinidad born 24 year old joined AEK Athens in the summer of 2020 from Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem and has appeared in 63 games for the Greek club across all competitions since his arrival, scoring ten goals while setting up eleven.

Rafa Silva will not be alone in his departure of the club with Benfica set for a flurry of high priced moves during the summer months after reporting a loss for the first half of the season of over €31M earlier this week. Benfica will be looking to cash in on some of their top players while reducing higher salaried players and replacing them with lower ones.

Benfica fans and club show their class in Yaremchuk support

Benfica fans gave Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk a standing ovation when he entered today's 3-0 victory over Guimaraes in a rare sporting moment that was more then just about football bringing the 26 year old to tears as he acknowledged the fans support for his homeland who is currently at war with Russia after being attacked just a few days past.

Yaremchuk was also given the captain's arm band by Jan Vertonghen as he entered along with a hug in support of the striker who I am sure is dealing with sleepless nights worrying about loved ones back home. Many Benfica fans attending today's game wore Ukraine's blue and yellow colours along with signs in support of Ukraine in the on going conflict.

Yaremchuk made the news all over the world Wednesday when he removed his jersey after scoring the tying goal for Benfica in their Champions League draw, revealing a black t-shirt with the Ukrainian coat of arms that he was wearing underneath. Although Yaremchuk did receive a yellow card for his actions, he escaped any punishment by UEFA with his political display.