Benfica being linked with midfielder Kokcu

Benfica are being linked with Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu according to reports out of the Netherlands as the club looks to replace Enzo Fernandez that with each passing day is looking more likely to depart the club during the current winter transfer window. Benfica want Enzo's release clause met which is set at €120M and Premiership clubs are circling the recent World Cup 2022 winner with Chelsea said to be leading the pack.

The 22 year old Dutch born, Turkish International Kokcu has been with Feyenoord since joining their youth ranks in the summer of 2014 and has appeared in 148 games across all competitions for them, scoring 27 goals while setting up 14. Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is familiar with Kokcu from his time with PSV, as is midfielder Fredrik Aursnes who played a season with Feyenoord before joining Benfica this past summer.

What Benfica would like in 2023

2022 is behind us and 2023 is ahead and for Benfica fans and the club the hope is that 2023 will be a memorable year. Benfica suffered their first loss of the season on Friday under the guidance of Roger Schmidt in Week 14 of league play. The suffered a humiliating defeat to Braga 3-0, a game that the club looked out of rhyme after a long pause thanks to World Cup 2022.

Benfica currently have a five point lead with 20 league games to play and the club are hoping that 2023 sees the club win their 38th championship and first since the 2018/19 season. Benfica are also still in the Taca de Portugal and are set to face Varzim in the round of 16 this month. Benfica last won the Taca de Portugal in 2017. 

Finally the club are still in UEFA's biggest club tournament also known as the Champions League where they will face off against Club Brugge in the round of 16 in February. The club should also continue to see a windfall in player sales in 2023 with Enzo Fernandez and Goncalo Ramos at this time as the two players that could add more to the clubs coffers.

Benfica preparing for Enzo exit

Benfica have accepted the fact that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will have his release clause of €120M met when the January transfer window opens, amid a battle between three European clubs to land the recent World Cup winners signature. Fernandez who was named the best young player of World Cup 2022 with Argentina is set to land in Lisbon today to resume his career with Benfica, however games may remain.

Benfica have already rejected a €100M bid for the 21 year old from an unnamed club but they are set to sit with Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes in the coming days, who will present the club with the €120M that will activate Enzo's release. The three clubs that have been rumoured to be leading the way to land Enzo are Liverpool and Newcastle in England and Real Madrid in Spain. Benfica are already looking in South America for Enzo's replacement.