Benfica sign new contract with defender Morato

Benfica center back Morato signed a new contract with the club earlier today that will take him into the summer of 2027 and includes a buy out clause of €100M. The 21 year old was recently named the Portuguese League defender of the month for August before sustaining an severe ankle sprain earlier this this month that looks set to keep him out of action for the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Morato had finally earned a place in Benfica's starting XI this season under the tutelage of new manager Roger Schmidt before suffering the injury. Morato's play caught the attention of many clubs across Europe and Benfica wasted no time in locking up the Brazilian center back long term and more importantly doubling his existing buy out clause. Morato joined Benfica in the summer of 2019 from Sao Paulo for €7.6M and has spent the majority of his time at the club with the B squad.

Benfica's new jewel in the backfield

Benfica may have just uncovered their latest Seixal gem with the addition of 18 year old center back Antonio Silva to the main squad thanks to a serious of injuries suffered to the back line. Silva who started the season as the club's sixth option in the back field has now become a regular inclusion of Roger Schmidt's starting XI and has not looked out of place along side club captain Nico Otamendi over the past four games.

Silva's play has not gone unnoticed by the clubs hierarchy, earning the player a recent extension on his contract until the summer of 2027. Silva has spent the past eight seasons with Benfica and was a member of last years championship winning UEFA Youth League squad. Manager Roger Schmidt will have some tough decisions to make when Lucas Verissimo, Morato and Joao Victor become healthy options once again but until then we call all enjoy the youngsters play.

Sporting expecting €30M from Joao Mario move to Benfica

Benfica midfielder Joao Mario is caught up in Sporting's dispute with Inter Milan after his move to Benfica last season after he and Inter Milan agreed to rescind the players contract. Sporting has included the €30M they expect to receive from Inter Milan who they believe circumvented their agreement when the club sold Joao Mario to Inter in 2016.

Sporting included the €30M clause in the deal to prevent the Italian club from selling Joao Mario back to a Portuguese club, which they state that both Inter and Joao Mario agreed to at the time of sale. Benfica have been excluded from the current turmoil as the situation makes its way through the judicial system.