Benfica and FC Porto look set to lock horns once again but this time the clubs will be doing it off the field as both battle to acquire Eduardo Gabriel Aquino Cossa better known as Pepe from Gremio. The 23 year old winger has the interest of both clubs according to reports from Brazil but do to the current COVID-19 pandemic going across the club his agents upcoming trip to Europe to talk with potential suitors has been cancelled. Pepe has a contract with Gremio until the end of 2022 and joined the Brazilian side in April 2016 appearing in 64 games and scoring 12 goals. Gremio currently owns 70% of the players rights and is said to be asking for €20M.
Benfica are set if they are to move on from current number one keeper Vlachodimos as the Greek International has been linked with a summer move to Italian clubs Inter Milan or Napoli. Reports out of Turkey have Benfica linked to current Trabzonspor starter Ugurcan Cakir to take over the number one role as the Turkish International garners interest from some of Europe's bigger clubs with Arsenal, Leicester City and Tottenham all linked to the 23 year old. Cakir has appeared in 33 games across all competitions for the Turkish league leaders allowing 39 goals while maintaining 4 clean sheets. The Turkish clubs President Ahmet Agaoglu has gone on to say that he feels Cakir is one of the top three keepers in Europe and future starter for the Turkish National side as he looks to drive up the price from what is a reported €20M. Benfica came close to landing Juventus keeper Perin over this past summer for €12M along with a Seixal academy prospect but a failed physical by the Italian put an end to that move. Benfica could try the same type of approach for Cakir to lower Trabzonspor's asking price and land Vlachodimos replacement for next season.
Benfica and Argentinian club Newell Old Boys are working on an agreement to make Cristian Lema's loan move permanent and with Newell struggling to come with the €3M that Benfica are looking for, Newell are offering Benfica a deal that would involve players in return. Newell are said to be offering Benfica a choice of 19 year old forward Tobias Donsati, 20 year old midfielder Anibal Moreno and 22 year old midfielder Jeronimo Cacciabue to clinch the permanent move. Lema joined Benfica from Belgrano in the summer of 2018 on a free transfer but only appeared in two games for the Eagles before loan spells at Penarol and this past season with Newell. Lema has appeared in 22 games for Newell and has scored 4 goals of the three players being offered Cacciabue is said to be the most ready to join the main club while Moreno is the player with the most promise. Benfica and Newell will continue to work on coming to an agreement until June 30 when Lema's loan move will end and he will return to Benfica.
