Joao Victor could be on his way out of Benfica when the winter transfer window opens over the next few weeks, with the potential destination being Turkish club Besiktas, according to reports from Aksam Spor. The 25 year old was suggested to Besiktas, and the Istanbul club is currently studying the possibility of a move to add reinforcements to the back line.
Victor joined Benfica in the summer of 2022 from Corinthians for €9.5M but has not been able to earn regular playing time at Benfica. He has made just two appearances for Benfica this season, appearing in a mere twenty-seven minutes. While last season, after joining the club, he appeared in just three games before joining Nantes on loan for half the season.
Victor has a contract with Benfica until the summer of 2027 with a €100M buyout clause. but look for any move to Besiktas to be a loan move with an option to buy at the conclusion of the season.
In a lackluster display of football, Benfica dropped crucial points against Moreirense with a scoreless draw, putting their top spot in Portugal's league at risk to rivals Sporting. The match was marked by a lack of creativity and intensity from the Benfica players, who seemed unable to break through Moreirense's solid defensive display.
Benfica's attacking line continues to struggle to find the back of the net and is a shadow of the club known for its flair and goal-scoring abilities last season. The team lacks cohesion and is struggling to create clear-cut chances in their encounters. With Sporting set to play today, a victory by their Lisbon rivals will see them move into sole possession of the top spot, dropping Benfica to second.
The draw against Moreirense not only puts Benfica's top spot at risk but also highlights some underlying issues within the team. The club continues to play with no wing backs due to injuries and Schmidt's lack of trust in what he has on hand. This creates breakdowns in the attack as both Aursnes and Morato provide little in offensive flair while their defensive coverage continues to be exploited.
It is essential for Benfica's coaching staff to address these concerns promptly, as the club is getting half a performance from these two players when out of their natural positions, which hampers the overall club performance as Benfica could be considered to be a man down every moment of the match.
The winter transfer window can not come soon enough and is less than a month away. Benfica needs to shore up their wing back positions if they are to contend for the league crown this year. The holes are so glaring at the moment that the club might just disappear into a black hole if they do not.
Benfica and Boavista are in advanced talks about right back Pedro Malheiro, as Benfica looks to shore up the position, which has had a hole for most of the season due to injuries to starter Alexander Bah. The 22 year old Malheiro has been on the Lisbon club's radar since last season and looks set to become the Eagles first winter signing.
Malheiro has been out of action with an muscle injury since Week 5 of the season but is set to return shortly. He is currently represented by Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency. Benfica are hoping to land the right back for €4M and see him as a better alternative to the current merry go round of players that have been exposed due to playing out of position in the role.
