Fenerbahce looking at Benfica midfielder Florentino

Current Turkish League leaders Fenerbahce are looking to reinforce their midfield with a defensive minded player and have their eyes on Benfica midfielder Florentino according to CNN Turkey.

Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal has presented the board with a list of midfielders he likes and highlighted on that list is the name of Florentino Luis. The 24 year old has been a long time favourite of the Turkish side but Benfica's current financial demands have continued to be a stumbling block in making the move possible.

Florentino is signed with Benfica until the summer of 2027 and has a buy clause of €120M, current Benfica bench boss Roger Schmidt is against moving the midfielder who he feels is a valuable part of the club.

Fenerbahce have their work cut out for them if they are to land this coveted player and do not seem to have the financial might to make this move happen.

 

Benfica prepare for third round Taca de Portugal encounter

Benfica are gearing up for their third round Taca de Portugal encounter against Azores club Lusitania on Friday in the picturesque island of Terceira, in what amounts to a battle between David and Goliath once again.

The match looks set to be a spectacle of football taking place in the small island of just over 53,000 people between two clubs with contrasting backgrounds but equal ambitions to advance.

Lusitania will be flying in over 40 sports venue assistants from the mainland of Portugal due to the logistics of hosting the defending league Champions and Portugal's most popular club at the Estadio John Paul II which normally holds 7,000 fans.

This will set the club back $20,000 to cover all accommodations for these workers but it will be worth the media coverage and free advertisement that the brand will receive from such a big match.

Benfica will be looking for nothing short then advancing to the next round and have their focus on making a run to the final to capture a trophy that has alluded them since the 2016/17 season.

 

Rosario Central want Di Maria next season

Argentinian club Rosario Central are hoping to land Benfica winger Angel di Maria next season once he becomes a free agent in hopes of having Di Maria end his career where it started. Rosario's sporting director Federico Lussenhoff spoke earlier today about preparing the right conditions to bring Di Maria back next summer.

Benfica acquired the talented Di Maria from Rosario Central in the summer of 2007 for €8M and the 35 year old spent three seasons with Benfica before departing and joining Real Madrid. Di Maria's career has taken him through Manchester United, PSG and Juventus before returning to Benfica this summer.