Benfica change directions on player acquisition target

Benfica have decided against moving winger Kerem Akturkoglu back to his native home after Fenerbahce decided to pull their original €25M deal for the 26 year old Turkish international and replace it with an offer of just €15M, which ended all negotiations between the two clubs.

Benfica is said to have found Akturkoglu's replacement in Wolfsburg winger Mohamed Amoura and it was reported that the club and player had agreed to terms before the German side went wild with an asking price of between €35M-€40M, which Benfica balked at.

The club is now determined to look towards adding an attacking midfield piece before the transfer window closes who will be able to move the ball between the midfield and into the club's attack more smoothly. This tactical move shows the club's lack of confidence in their current option of players on the squad.

With an all important winner take all game coming up next week at the Luz against Fenerbache for a spot in this seasons lucrative Champions League phase, the club's direction could once again change if they were to miss out on advancing and drop down to the Europa League this season.

The club have been linked with players Thiago Almada and Giannis Konstantelias already this summer, who could fill this role but Almada joined Atletico Madrid instead and Giannis has been linked to a host of clubs across Europe but has yet to move from PAOK.

Look for Benfica to become more aggressive in the next 2 weeks as they look to bolster a position of weakness and build off of that this season.  

Benfica and Wolfsburg trying to hammer out agreement for Amoura

Benfica is making waves in the transfer market, with negotiations intensifying for Wolfsburg’s Algerian star, Mohamed Amoura. The 25-year-old forward has emerged as a top target for the Eagles, who aim to bolster their attack for the 2025-26 season and their European campaign.

This potential move could rewrite Benfica’s history, with a reported €35 million transfer fee poised to make Amoura the club’s most expensive signing ever, surpassing Richard Rios' €27 million that the club paid Palmeiras earlier this summer for the midfielder.

Amoura’s 2024-25 season with Wolfsburg showcased his explosive talent. In 34 matches across all competitions, he scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists, totaling 2,729 minutes. His pace, versatility, and clinical finishing earned him acclaim as one of the Bundesliga’s top breakthrough talents. While for Algeria, Amoura has 25 caps and 11 goals.

Benfica’s interest, backed by coach Bruno Lage and sporting director Rui Pedro Braz, reflects their ambition to replace the void left by Angel Di Maria. The club has tabled a €27 million offer plus bonuses, though Wolfsburg demands €30–40 million, with some sources citing a fixed €35 million valuation by the club.

Negotiations are ongoing, with Benfica proposing a phased payment structure to meet Wolfsburg’s expectations. Despite Amoura already agreeing to personal terms with Benfica, Wolfsburg’s firm stance and his contract until 2029 are posing challenges.

The urgency to finalize the deal is driven by Benfica’s upcoming Champions League play-offs against Fenerbahçe on August 20 and 27, 2025. Amoura’s potential arrival could provide the dynamism needed to unlock defenses. However, Wolfsburg’s manager, Paul Simonis, remains non-committal, noting a “50-50” chance of Amoura staying, especially after a recent thigh injury limited his training. 

If successful, this transfer could mark a new era for Benfica, with Amoura’s flair and goal-scoring prowess set to electrify the Estadio da Luz. Fans eagerly await updates as the transfer window nears its climax and Benfica looking at reinforcements for the season. 

 

Benfica set to kick off 2025-26 league campaign

Benfica launch their 2025-26 Portuguese League campaign on August 16, 2025, with an away clash against Amadora at Estadio Jose Gomes. Under Bruno Lage’s stewardship, the Eagles are eager to reclaim the league title after a close second-place finish last season. Following a strong pre-season and a 4-0 aggregate Champions League qualifying win over Nice, Benfica go into the game brimming with confidence.

Lage, who returned to Benfica in 2024, has instilled a high-pressing, dynamic style, with new signings like Franjo Ivanovic, Richard Rios and Enzo Barrenechea bolstering the squad. The Eagles recent 1-0 Super Cup triumph over arch rivals Sporting, signals their intent towards the season.

Amadora, coming off a 1-1 draw against Estoril, will lean on home support but face a tough challenge. Their recent form is shaky, with only one win in their last nine home league games and Benfica have won their last six league encounters against them. Despite a spirited 3-2 loss to Benfica last season, Estrela’s attacking struggles could prove costly.