Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Benfica's should look within league for central defender

Benfica Blog
Benfica could find what they are looking for right in their own backyard when it comes to strengthening the center back spot for the club this off season. Benfica will more then likely see Ruben Dias depart and with reports coming from both Portugal and Spain, the club could also see the departure of Ferro and captain Jardel when all is said and done. Benfica have promising youngster Morato to look forward to in the future but at the tender age of 18, the young Brazilian defender is still too green to take over a regular role with the main squad. Benfica have also been linked to 23 year old Freiburg defender Robin Koch who could come with a €20M price tag and be more then an adequate starter with the club but the squad would still be short at least two defenders that they could rely on to play regular minutes.

Monday, March 23, 2020

Manchester United have Benfica's Pizzi on short list

Benfica Blog
Benfica midfielder Pizzi has had his name mentioned on the short list of Manchester United as a potential summer target if United are to miss out on their main target Jadon Sancho. The 30 year old Pizzi has been one of the best players in the Portuguese League the past few seasons and currently sits second behind teammate Vinicius for the leagues golden boot this year. Pizzi who joined Benfica in the summer of 2013 become a main stay with the club during the 2014/15 season after a season loan at Espanyol and has appeared in 270 games with the club across all competitions, scoring 72 goals and adding 80 assists. A move to United would see Pizzi join fellow Portuguese players Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot at the club and give United two of the best players in the Portuguese League over the past few seasons within a 6 month span after landing Fernandes in January. Pizzi is signed with Benfica until the summer of 2023 and has a current buy out clause of €60M. Benfica should not expect United to get close to that buy out due to Pizzi's age but the club would more then likely be open to moving their best player for half that price if you United were to get that high.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Benfica and FC Porto both interested in Granada keeper

Benfica Blog
Benfica and FC Porto are both interested in landing Granada's Portuguese keeper Rui Silva for next season according to reports coming from Portugal. The 26 year old has been one of the better keepers in La Liga this season and currently sits third in total shot stops while maintaining ten clean sheets for the mid table club. Silva's low buy out clause of €15M will make it difficult for the Spanish side to retain his services beyond this season. Silva arrived at Granada during the winter transfer window of 2017 for a modest €1.5M from Madeira club Nacional and became the starter last season helping the club earn promotion to La Liga  while being voted the best keeper in the second division. Benfica have been looking for a keeper to push current number one Vlachodimos since last summer and Silva's form and low cost has moved him onto the clubs summer acquisition list. Benfica though will not only have Portuguese rivals FC Porto to battle for Silva's signature but Spanish side Real Betis and a couple of English Premier clubs have also been linked to acquiring the Portuguese keeper. Silva's final decision could be swayed in Benfica's favour if they were to land a spot in next seasons Champions League but that will remain unknown until the league restarts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.