Nelson Semedo the next to return back home

Former Benfica right back Nelson Semedo is linked with a return back to Benfica following in the footsteps of the clubs recent loan acquisition Goncalo Guedes who joined the club for the remainder of the season. Semedo's contract with Wolverhampton is set to expire at seasons end and the 29 year old is rumoured to be ready to make his return to the Estadio da Luz after departing six seasons ago.

Benfica sold Semedo to Barcelona in the summer of 2017 for a cool €35.7M, Semedo has since then joined Wolverhampton in the summer of 2020 but all reports indicate that Semedo is set to come back to Portugal and Benfica is his preferred destination. Semedo appeared in 65 games for the club across all competitions before his departure, scoring three goals while setting up an additional twelve.

 

Benfica continue flurry of winter window moves

Benfica are cleaning house during the winter transfer window and have made a flurry of moves that have seen player departures pick up the pace over the last few days with the window deadline set to close in a weeks time in most of the major European leagues. Benfica are looking at making the club leaner and will count on younger players in the organization to fill in when required.

Benfica's recent departures in the last week: Updated 01/30/23

Helton Leite (Keeper) to Antalyaspor - Free Transfer

Tomas Tavares (Right Back) to Spartak Moscow - €3M

Gil Dias (Winger) to Stuttgart - €2M

German Conti (Center Back) to Lokomotiv Moscow - €1M in objectives

John Brooks (Center Back) to Hoffenheim - €500K

Joao Victor (Center Back) to Nantes - Loan (no buy option)

Henriques Araujo (Striker) to Watford - Loan (no buy option)

Benfica are said to have been negotiating a buy back clause on Tavares' deal to Spartak but it has not been disclosed if this was added to deal.

Benfica are also still working on deals that could see  Andre Almeida and Ferro all with new clubs in the next week, so stay tuned as the moves are coming fast and furious.

Julian Weigl wants to stay in Germany

Benfica midfielder Julian Weigl who is currently on loan in Germany with Borussia Mochengladbach did a recent interview this weekend with Redaktion Netzwerk and admitted his desire to remain in Germany and not return to Benfica when his loan deal is up at the end of the season. Weigl stated that he feels good at Mochengladbach and has his eyes set on a return to the German national side.

The 27 year old Weigl joined Benfica from Dortmund in the winter of 2020 for €20M and appeared in 115 games across all competitions, scoring five goals while setting up an additional five before moving back to Germany in the summer. Benfica are said to be looking for €10M to €15M to allow the move to become permanent.