Benfica on urgent hunt for a winger after Akturkoglu sale

Benfica confirmed the €22.5 million sale, plus bonuses that could see the deal reach €25 million of Turkish winger Kerem Akturkoglu to Fenerbahce. The 26-year-old, who joined from Galatasaray for €12 million last year, had been a key creative force, contributing 16 goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

Akturkoglu scored the winner against his new club just days ago to send Benfica to the league phase of the Champions League and Fenerbahce home but the Turkish International had a wish to return to his native home and Benfica granted him that wish today.

His exit leaves a void in Benfica's attacking lineup, prompting an urgent search for a forward replacement to bolster their title challenge under coach Bruno Lage. Benfica announced a key reinforcement yesterday with the arrival of attacking midfielder Heorhii Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk on loan and now look to patch up another part of their squad.

Benfica's scouting network have already found a few pieces to the puzzle that could inject pace, creativity and be goal threats. The names that the club have been linked to in the past few days include Levante's Carlos Alvarez, Sevilla's Dodi Lukebakio and Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura.

Any of these three wingers will run the club between €20 to €40 million to acquire with Amoura being the gem of the bunch. Benfica could also turn their attention back to their league and search out a pair of Braga wingers in Ricardo Horta and Roger Fernandes to strengthen the squad.

No matter the direction that the squad takes and what player or players arrive, what we know is that the club is weaker today after the Akturkoglu sale and need to urgently fill the hole tomorrow over next week.

Benfica find out Champions League opponents

Benfica have learned their eight opponents in this seasons league phase of the Champions League after their nail biting win over Fenerbahce 1-0 and the competition will be fierce as the Lisbon club looks to advance into the knock out rounds once again this season.

Benfica were drawn at home against, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Qarabag, while they will travel to Chelsea, Juventus, Ajax and Newcastle. They exact dates and times of the games won't be released until the end of the month.

Benfica will be in tough with the magic number of wins to reach the knock out face being at least four games. Last season's final spot into the knock out round saw the 24th place club in the competition finish with 11 points and a 3-2-3 record with a goal differential of -4.

New name pops up on Benfica radar

A new name has popped up on the Benfica shopping list, this time the club is linked with a move for Levante's 22 year old midfielder Carlos Alvarez, with negotiations said to be heating up as the transfer window nears a close.

According to sources Abola and Marca, Benfica is keen to bolster its attack and Alvarez's name has emerged as a prime target. The transfer fee is said to be in the €15 million to €25 million range, though Benfica are looking to keep the fee on the lower end of the range.

Sevilla, Alvarez's former club would be entitled to 40% of any transfer deal between Benfica and Levante. Since joining Levante from Sevilla's youth system his performances with Levante helped the Spanish side climb back into La Liga, he scored seven goals and provided twelve assists in 43 contests last season.

Alvarez excels in chance creation, ranking highly for progressive passing and assists, with a flair for threading ambitious through balls. His dribbling ability allows him to take on defenders, though his shooting frequency and goal efficiency could improve.  

With a contract until 2027, Alvarez’s recent role as a substitute may facilitate the move. Benfica sees him as a creative spark to complement the club's strikers, offering pace, flair and goal-scoring potential. If finalized, this transfer could mark Alvarez as a key piece in Benfica’s ambitious campaign