Feyenoord tell Benfica price for midfielder Kokcu

Feyenoord has reportedly told Benfica the price for their midfielder Orkun Kokcu according to reports out of the Netherlands. The Dutch club is said to be asking for a fee in the region of €40m for the 22-year-old Turkish international.

Kokcu has been a standout performer for Feyenoord this season, scoring twelve goals and providing three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performances have caught the attention of several top European clubs, including Benfica.

The Portuguese giants are keen to bolster their midfield options after the departure of Enzo Fernandez in January and see Kokcu as an ideal addition to their squad. However, they will have to meet Feyenoord's valuation if they want to secure his services.

Kokcu is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football and has been tipped for a bright future at both club and international level. It remains to be seen whether Benfica will meet Feyenoord's asking price or look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.

Benfica extend the contract of Roger Schmidt

Benfica, one of the most successful football clubs in Portugal, has extended the contract of their head coach Roger Schmidt. The German coach joined Benfica in the summer of 2022 and has already made a significant impact on the team's performance with the club currently sitting atop the Portuguese League and into the Champions League quarter-final stage.

The extension of Schmidt's contract is a clear indication that the club management is satisfied with his work and believes that he can lead the team to further success. It also shows that Benfica is committed to building a long-term project under Schmidt's guidance. Schmidt's contract will go into the summer of 2026 and include an undisclosed buy out clause that should increase from the current €9M mark.

Italian clubs interested in Benfica's Rafa Silva

Italian clubs are reportedly interested in signing Benfica's Rafa Silva. The 29-year-old Portuguese winger has been in impressive form this season, scoring twelve goals and providing nine assists across all competitions. According to reports in Portugal, Lazio and Napoli are among a host of clubs monitoring Rafa's situation at Benfica. 

The Italian sides are said to be impressed with his performances and believe that he would add quality to their respective squads. Rafa joined Benfica from Braga in the summer of 2016 and has since become a key player for the Lisbon-based club. The winger's current contract with Benfica runs until the summer of 2024, but it remains to be seen if he will stay at the club beyond this season. 

Overall, it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga unfolds over the coming months as Italian clubs continue their pursuit of Rafa Silva.