Tottenham have finally landed their first player in the Jose Mourinho era making Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes his first acquisition since taking over at the club. Tottenham land Gedson from Benfica on an 18 month loan with an option to purchase the player at any time for €50M, Benfica are also reported to be receiving €4.5M as a fee for the loan of Gedson for the extended period of time. The 21 year old midfielder was struggling to find playing time at Benfica this season and was keen for a move to a club that would provide this option for him. Gedson has appeared in only 13 contests for Benfica across all competitions this season, adding just one helper. Gedson who made his Benfica debut last season has appeared in a total of 59 games across all competitions for the club, scoring three goals with seven helpers. Benfica are leaning towards Mourinho molding the Seixal product into a reliable and regular midfield option for the Spurs with the hope of the club exercising the €50M option adding to Benfica's growing sales chest.
Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira has made it known to Braga President Antonio Salvador that the club will be all in on 20 year old winger Francisco Trincao when the summer transfer window opens in 2020. The two club Presidents held discussions about Trincao during the teams round of 16 encounter in the Taca de Portugal last December and Salvador has made it clear that he will not move Trincao without the players buy out clause of €30M being met having already turned away Newcastle and Atalanta this month. A product of Braga's youth system since 2011, Trincao made his main squad debut last season at the tender age of 18 appearing in 8 games across all competitions. Trincao has been used more frequently by Braga this season having already appeared in 17 games across all competitions scoring twice while adding four helpers. The €30M price tag on Trincao would set a new club record for Benfica in the acquisition of a player but Benfica could look at making this move a cash and player(s) deal to lower the price and hope that their good relationship with the northern Portugal club will be result in a deal beneficial to both clubs.
Benfica will appear in the Taca de Portugal for the second consecutive year after their come from behind victory over Rio Ave at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica who fell behind early when Rio Ave's Lucas Piazon scored just four minutes into the contest on a brilliant free kick, brought the game level when striker Carlos Vinicius found a streaking Franco Cervi who's high shot got past Setubal keeper Paulo Vitor. Rio Ave would regain the lead at the 31st minute as Diogo Figueiras would find a just onside Taremi who's header would get past Benfica keeper Zlobin. Benfica would fight from behind until substitute striker Seferovic's low shot would find the back of the net from a Vinicius head pass and Benfica would once again bring it level at the 64 minute mark. Seferovic would then give Benfica the lead for good just seven minutes later scoring his second of the contest from a Pizzi pass and Benfica would hang on for the 3-2 victory. Benfica will now await the winner of the Famalicao/Pacos Ferreira encounter to find out their opponent in the two leg semi-final match.
