Benfica set for Liverpool clash

Benfica will kick off their Champions League quarter-final campaign against English club Liverpool on Tuesday at the Estadio da Luz as the Lisbon side continues their UEFA campaign with the second leg of the quarter-final taking place at Anfield on April 13. 

Benfica go into this game coming off a disappointing road loss to Braga 3-2 on Friday, just about ending the clubs quest to finish in the top two places in the league as they currently trail second place Sporting by six points, which could rise to nine by the end of the day today. Benfica are hoping that a continued run in the Champions League will appease their fans from their terrible domestic season.

Benfica should look within league for Darwin replacement

Benfica are all but certain to sell the rights to striker Darwin Nunez this summer during the transfer window and with the Uruguayan's strong season that has seen him score 26 goals across all competitions in 33 games, Benfica are set to receive an almost record haul for the 22 year old who only joined the club in the summer of 2020.

With Benfica set to receive a minimum €70M for Nunez at this time, the club could receive an even higher fee if Nunez continues his fine form until season end. Benfica will provide 20% of any sale price to Almeria as the Spanish side made sure to include this clause in the sale when the Lisbon side acquired Nunez.

Benfica could also see the departure of Swiss striker Haris Seferovic this summer leaving the club with youngster Goncalo Ramos, Roman Yaremchuk and often injured Rodrigo Pinho as their only options. With a new manager looking set to take over at the club next season the club may need to add a striker or two depending on his formation.

Benfica President Rui Costa has stated he will be looking at cost certainty next season and that the clubs main reinforcements look to be coming from within the league and if that is indeed the case then there are a couple of strikers who come to mind that Benfica could target.

The two strikers the club could look to add this off season are:

Vitinha (Braga) - The 22 year old has been a regular with Braga this season since October and has chipped in 12 goals across all competitions with 5 coming in league play, 6 in the Taca de Portugal and 1 in Europa League play in 30 games of action. Vitinha would more then likely cost Benfica between €12M to €20M to land.

Fran Navarro (Gil Vicente) - The 24 year currently sits fifth in league scoring with 13 goals and has scored 34% of Gil Vicente's goals in league action this season. Navarro is in his first season in Portugal after joining the Barcelos club on a free transfer after playing with Valencia's B squad the season prior and could cost Benfica between €5M to €8M to land.

Benfica linked to non Portuguese manager

Benfica continue their hunt for a permanent manager next season to take over at the club and according to reports from German site Kicker and Portuguese daily Record, the club have been in talks with current outgoing PSV manager Roger Schmidt who's contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the season.

The 55 year old German is said to have had several secret meetings with the clubs management in recent weeks and a deal is close to being struck. Schmidt has spent the past two seasons at PSV and has also managed German side Bayer Leverkusen, Chinese club Beijing Guoan and Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in his career.