Benfica ins and outs during the winter transfer window

The winter transfer window in most of the world has now officially closed, but Portugal still has one day remaining in their window. A host of smaller leagues do remain open a bit longer, but the big name leagues have all officially closed their doors to player additions until the summer.

Benfica had a busy window, with a bunch of players arriving and departing during the window. Benfica's biggest addition during the winter window was the acquisition of striker Marcus Leonardo, who arrived from Santos and cost the club €18M. Their biggest subtraction was the departure of striker Petar Musa to FC Dallas for €10M up front, with some potential add-ons down the road.

Here is a look at the comings and goings for Benfica during the winter transfer window:

 

Arrivals:

Marcos Leonardo - €18M fee from Santos

Gianluca Prestianni - €9M fee from Velez Sarsfield

Benjamin Rollheiser - Loan with mandatory buy €9.5M from Estudiantes

Alvaro Fernandez - Loan from Manchester United

 

Departures:

Petar Musa - €10M fee to FC Dallas

Lucas Verissimo - €9M fee to Al-Duhail

Joao Victor - €6M fee to Vasco da Gama

Chiquinho - €1M fee to Olympiacos

Gabriel Pires - Free Transfer to Fluminense

David Jurasek - Loan to Hoffenheim

Goncalo Guedes - Loan ended by Wolverhampton

Benfica not giving up on retaining Rafa Silva

Benfica are not going to go down without a fight when it comes to Rafa Silva, who is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of this season. According to reports out of Portugal, Benfica are making one last gasp to retain Rafa beyond this season, even though they know they can not provide the annual salary rumoured to be offered by Qatari club Al-Sadd.

Rafa is said to not only be on the radar of Al-Sadd, but Lazio, AC Milan and Manchester United have also been linked with the 30 year old attacker. Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is pushing hard to keep Rafa with Benfica and has President Rui Costa looking for creative ways to find a salary structure that can work to the players liking.

Rafa has been at Benfica since the summer of 2016 and has appeared in his 300th game for the club over the past month. Benfica knows that they are in tough to retain Rafa, but they are looking at a salary structure mixed with bonuses that can appease the player and have him continue to represent the club after the season.

Benfica blow chance to move on in Taca da Liga

Benfica failed once again to capture the Taca da Liga Cup after not being able to get past Estoril in yesterday's semi-final encounter. Benfica fell behind in the first half but equalized early in the second, but could not find the winner before being taken to penalties and losing 5-4 to Estoril after a 1-1 regulation draw.

Estoril now advances to face Braga on Saturday, who knocked out Sporting in the other semi-final match, turning this weekend's final into an unexpected affair. Benfica missed a series of chances during the game that could have seen the club move into the final but were unable to capitalize and they will join the host of clubs set to watch the Final on their sofas.