The fresh faces at Benfica and the fond farewells

As the 2025/26 season kicks off, Benfica has been active in the transfer market, blending youth with experience to challenge for the Primeira Liga title and European glory. Under manager Bruno Lage, the club invested heavily in midfield and forward reinforcements while cashing in on key assets.

This summer's window, saw a net spend that reflects Benfica's ambition to dominate domestically and compete in the Champions League. The standout signing was Colombian defensive midfielder Richard Rios who arrived from Palmeiras in July 23 for a club record €27 million.

Rios, 25, brings tenacity and vision, addressing gaps in the engine room after last season's inconsistencies. Benfica also acquired Bosnian right-back Amar Dedic, who joined from Red Bull Salzburg for €12 million and the 22 year-old has already impressed at the club.

Argentine Enzo Barrenechea arrived on loan from Aston Villa in July, providing versatile defensive midfield cover for the season. His Premier League experience adds maturity to a young squad. Benfica added Rafa Obrador from Real Madrid, the 21 year old came at a bargain price of only €5 million.

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.