The winter transfer market is officially closed and Benfica have seen players come in and players go out during the transfer period as the club forges ahead into the final half of the season. Benfica currently lead the race for the Portuguese title and are also in the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal and the Round of 32 of the Europa League and hope that their changes lead to success in all competitions. Here is a round up of what Benfica did during the winter transfer market with their main squad.
In:
Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund) Purchase €20M
Dyego Sousa (Shenzhen FC) Loan
Yony Gonzalvez (Free Transfer)
Out:
Raul de Tomas (Espanyol) Sold €20M
Lisandro Lopez (Boca Juniors) Sold €3M
Gedson Fernandes (Tottenham) Loan Fee €4.5M
Caio Lucas (Sharjah FC) Loan Fee €1.5M
Ljubomir Fejsa (Alaves) Loan
German Conti (Atlas) Loan
Benfica and Corinthians have agreed to a summer move for winger Pedrinho according to reports coming out of Portugal. Benfica who have been looking for a winger to play the role of summer departure Eduardo Salvio are said to have come to an agreement for the 21 year old right winger to join in the club in the summer in exchange for €20M plus the loan of recently acquired central defender Yony Gonzalvez. Benfica chose to not have Pedrinho join the club during the winter transfer window instead leaving the youngster in Brazil as he trains with the U23 national side in preparation for this summers Olympic games. Details of the acquisition by Benfica are still not fully complete as Corinthians only hold 70% of Pedrinho's playing rights and it has not been reported if Benfica would be acquiring the full 100% value of Pedrinho in the deal. Pedrinho who appeared in 36 games across all competitions for Corinthians last season, scored seven goals while setting up another four helpers. Benfica manager Bruno Lage has been waiting for a right winger for some time and the club looks set to provide Lage with a coveted piece to his player puzzle.
In what was the final transfer day for the majority of European leagues with Portugal being an exception as their transfer window closes on Sunday, Benfica were involved in a few moves as the transfer window wrapped up. Benfica opened the day acquiring striker Dyego Sousa on loan from Chinese club Shenzhen FC until the end of 2020, filling a hole in the striker spot that was caused when the club sold Raul de Tomas earlier this month to Spanish side Espanyol.
Benfica would then end the loan spell of midfielder Chris Willock at West Brom and move the youngster to Huddersfield Town with the player on loan until the end of the season. Benfica then made some minor moves acquiring 19 year olds Diogo Almeida from Pacos Ferreira for an undisclosed amount and Derlis Mereles from Rubio Nu on loan. Benfica also continue in negotiations for Boavista keeper Helton Leite and with Corinthians for midfielder Pedrinho looking to wrap up the deals by Sunday.
