Benfica have made their first move of the 2020 winter transfer window landing defensive midfielder Julian Weigl from German side Borussia Dortmund for a reported €20M. Dortmund has gone as far as confirming the move today on their social media accounts. The purchase price for Weigl would be tied with the second highest transfer fee that Benfica have paid to acquire a player matching that of Raul de Tomas' move this summer from Real Madrid. The acquisition of Weigl should be bad news for a couple of Benfica's current midfield players with Fejsa, Samaris and Florentino looking to be on the outs with the club. Florentino though is more likely to leave the club on loan for the rest of the season as the club is not in a hurry to give up the players rights without someone meeting the buyout clause. The 24 year old Weigl who joined Dortmund in the summer of 2015 has appeared in 171 games across all competitions for the German club, scoring on four occasions while adding one helper. Benfica have yet to announce the acquisition of Weigl but the unveiling could be tomorrow as the club holds an open practice for the fans.
Benfica earned the co-honours with Dutch club Ajax for the best academy of 2019 at this years Globe Awards in Dubai. Benfica repeats as award winners for the second time after first winning in 2015. Benfica's now famous Seixal academy has been producing some gems over the last few years and the club is honoured to be recognized for all their hard work. Rui Costa was on hand in Dubai to receive the award on Benfica's behalf. The Seixal academy over the past few years has produced the likes of Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Guedes, Andre Gomes, Joao Cancelo, Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Renato Sanches and Rony Lopes to name a few and look set to continue to this trend in European football for the coming years.
Benfica are now the favourites to land Athletico Paranaense midfielder Bruno Guimaraes with the help of Spanish club Atletico Madrid who have the right of first refusal to land the 22 year old Brazilian. Guimaraes who was selected to the league Best XI for the 2019 season has already expressed his desire to move to Europe in 2020 and reports the past couple of days say the player is excited with a potential move to the Lisbon side. Atletico Madrid who currently have their sights set on landing a striker in January are rumoured to be ready to waive their right to land the player and make an agreement with Benfica that would allow the club to land the midfielder for €20M but give the Spanish club the right of first refusal if and when Benfica decide to move the player. Guimaraes appeared in 35 games across all competitions this year for Paranaense scoring four goals and setting up another three while being a force in the midfield. Benfica who are looking to strengthen their midfield in January are open to moving current midfielders Fejsa, Samaris along with wingers Zivkovic and Caio Lucas when the transfer window opens to shore up room for a Guimaraes acquisition.
