Benfica plans for Gianluca Prestianni

Benfica turned down plenty of offers for 19 year old Gianluca Prestianni during the winter transfer window, as they settled on working on the Argentinian's development themselves at this stage of his career.

Acquired by Benfica last winter from Velez Sarsfield for €9M, the winger has yet to show the promise that had been expected of him when the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid where linked with acquiring his services before the Lisbon club made the move.

Bruno Lage has yet to use Prestianni since taking over coaching duties from Roger Schmidt in September but has the youngster training with the main squad and available to play in games with the club's B team in which he has appeared in three games to date.

Benfica are counting on Prestianni to develop into a fundamental piece of the squad over the years, which would turn into another cash cow at the cash register if he is to fulfill his potential.

Benfica have a busy 24 hours in transfer market

Benfica decided to strengthen their squad just at the deadline making three moves to their main squad in the past 24 hours.

Benfica first added another striker, this time going with a veteran attacker in Como's 31 year old Andrea Belotti who arrived on loan to the club for the remainder of the season. The Euro 2020 winner has had a tough couple of years as he has battled injuries and form but Benfica are hoping he can find his goal scoring days while at Torino.

Next up, Benfica made a surprising move in acquiring Braga winger Bruma for €6.5M and signing him until the summer of 2028. Bruma has been a key contributor at Braga this season appearing in 31 games across all competitions, he has scored 12 goals while providing 9 helpers and Benfica will hope to see the 30 year old continue his great form while at the club.

Benfica finished the day adding some depth at the left back position with the acquisition from Roma of Samuel Dahl on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy for €8M. Dahl has not seen much action with Roma having appeared in only 240 minutes of action.

Look for Benfica to make a couple of subtractions from the squad with other countries transfer windows still open. The likely players to depart are striker Arthur Cabral and winger Benjamin Rollheiser who have interest from a host of Brazilian clubs.

Benfica emerge in race for Roma left back Dahl

Benfica have entered the race for Roma left back Samuel Dahl, as according to Gianluca Di Marzio the Lisbon side have moved into the front runners spot to land the 21 year old Swedish wing back before the transfer window closes.

Benfica need some depth at left back after selling Jan-Niklas Beste, late last week to Freiburg in Germany and currently only have Alvaro Fernandez who plays the position naturally. Benfica are open to a loan move for Dahl with an option to buy.

Dahl arrived at Roma in the summer of 2024 but has not seen many minutes since his arrival appearing in only 240 minutes of action across all competitions. Benfica are in competition with Besiktas for the player's signature but their place in the Champions League looks to have tilted the player in their favour.