Benfica are readying to make a return to Turin for the signing of Juventus keeper Mattia Perin who is close to regaining full fitness. Benfica came very close to acquiring the former Genoa keeper from Juventus during the summer transfer window but Perin failed a physical after traveling to Lisbon and the deal was called off or with the latest rumours coming from Italy looks more like it was put on hold. Perin was dealing with a shoulder injury but has resumed training and with Juventus' signing of former keeper Gianluigi Buffon, Perin has fallen to the third choice option. Benfica were willing to pay Juventus €15M for the acquisition of Perin while adding young right back Joao Fereira to the deal this summer but no numbers have been released if this deal would still be on the table. Benfica President LFV has already confirmed that the club will be looking for a keeper in January and Perin looks to be the clubs top choice to battle current number one Vlachodimos for playing time.
Benfica and Alex Grimaldo have agreed on a new contract that will go into the summer of 2023. Benfica and Grimaldo have been discussing a new contract since the start of the season and have finally got it done. Grimaldo's new contract will also include a €60M buy out clause for any interested parties that would be eyeing the 24 year old Spaniard. Grimaldo joined Benfica from Barcelona's B squad during the winter transfer window of 2016 and has appeared in 134 games for Benfica across all competitions. He has scored on eleven occasions while setting up twenty-six goals. Grimaldo has also won eight trophies as a member of Benfica, three of those being the League Championship.
Benfica scraped past ten man Vizela to advance to the Taca de Portugal round of 16 after a come from behind 2-1 victory, avoiding the embarrassment of losing to a minnow early in the tournament. Vizela opened the scoring just six minutes into the game when a Samu low shot found its way past Benfica keeper Zlobin. Vizela would then be a given a blow when midfielder Ericson Duarte was sent off at the 26th minute mark after receiving his second yellow card of the game within six minutes of receiving his first. Benfica though would fail to find their form in the first half as a tough defensive Vizela fought to protect their lead all the way to the end of the half. The second half would see striker Carlos Vinicius enter the game in place of Samaris as Benfica looked to get the equalizer. Chiquinho would get the clubs first real chance six minutes into the half but his attempt would be sent over the bar. Benfica would finally bring the game level with twenty minutes left when a low Jota cross would find striker Raul de Tomas who made no mistake tapping the ball pass Vizela keeper Cajo.
Then just two minutes later Grimaldo would send a high shot past the keeper who was beat on the play but he was unable to beat the bar as his shot rang off it. Benfica continued to press and a Caio Lucas' cross into the box would find the head of Carlos Vinicius but Vizela's Cajo would come up with a big stop to keep the game leveled, but Vinicius would not be denied on this night and just five minutes from time, Lucas would send Vinicius in on goal and the strong striker would fight off the pressure of Vizela defender Aidara and send a low shot into the far left corner to give Benfica a lead they would not relinquish and get the club into the round of 16. Benfica will now await to find out who their next opponents are in the tournament but a better performance would be expected by the club as the competition will only get tougher from here.
