Benfica have many moves to make before window closes

The winter transfer window has two weeks left to go and Benfica have a lot of work to do before that deadline arrives, the club has already acquired a pair of northern European youngsters in Casper Tengstedt and Andreas Schjelderup but are hoping to land a midfielder and a keeper before the window closes with Flamengo keeper Hugo Souza's name being bounced around as an option.

Benfica will also look at moving out some players in areas where the club has an abundance to chose from. One of those positions is the center back spot which currently has six players available after the return from injury of three of those defenders. Benfica is looking at moving on from John Brooks and are set to loan one of Lucas Verissimo or Joao Victor to help clear the clutter. Helton Leite is also linked with a departure to Turkisk club Alanyaspor.

The most interesting rumour of all may just be what is coming out of Portugal today, Benfica is said to be in talks with English side Watford in what could turn into a loan move that would see 20 year old striker Henrique Araujo depart the club for the third division side, not much has been said if the loan deal would include an option to make the move permanent but I for one hope that is not the case.     

Benfica and Sporting draw in Lisbon encounter

It was a fierce encounter in Lisbon by two clubs who's stadiums sit just under three kilometers apart as Benfica hosted their arch rivals Sporting at a packed Estadio da Luz last night. Benfica came from behind on two separate occasions with a pair of goals from Goncalo Ramos to earn a 2-2 draw against Sporting.

The visitors opened the scoring in the first half when a Marcus Edwards cross went in for an own goal off of Benfica defender Alexander Bah but Benfica did not take long to equalize the game before halftime as Goncalo Ramos chipped in a Rafa Silva pass for his league leading 10th goal of the season just eight minutes before the half.

Sporting would then be awarded a controversial penalty kick just seven minutes into the second half when Antonio Silva took down Paulinho in the box, Pedro Goncalves would convert the penalty to restore the visiting Lions lead once again. Benfica intensified their play looking for the equalizer and it would come once again from the feet of Ramos who would this time convert a Grimaldo pass into the box to bring the game level once more.

Benfica pushed on for the victory but it was not in the cards this game as the final whistle sounded, the club saw their lead atop Portugal cut to four points with plenty of football still to go this season. The emotions of the game carried into the tunnel between the two clubs, so much so that Benfica security needed to get involved. Benfica will continue their quest for the title next week as they travel to the Azores to take on Santa Clara next Saturday.

Benfica make a pair of moves during transfer window

Benfica hit the winter transfer window running, locking up a pair of northern European youngsters in Casper Tengstedt and Andreas Schjelderup in the past 36 hours. Benfica first acquired 22 year old striker Tengstedt from Rosenborg for €7M, signing the Dane to a contract until the summer of 2028 with a €100M buy out clause.

Then Benfica made their move for the Danish's leagues leading scorer and 18 year old Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup from Nordsjaelland in which they paid €9M with a potential additional €5M in add ons. Schjelderup also signed a contract with the club until the summer of 2028, with a €100M buy out clause.

Benfica's moves are to add depth to a squad still competing for three trophies this year, the club will turn their attention to their midfield now before the window closes at the end of month across the majority of Europe.