Brazilian club Internacional have their eyes set on making a move to acquire Benfica midfielder Franco Cervi when the transfer window opens up in the summer. Internacional's manager Eduardo Coudet managed the winger while running Cervi's former club Rosario Central back in 2015-2016 and is a big fan of his former player. Cervi though is said to not be interested in departing Benfica for a return back to South America at this time and would prefer to remain with the Lisbon side. Cervi joined Benfica in the summer of 2016 for €5.7M and has appeared in 143 games for the club across all compeitions, Cervi has scored 20 goals and setting up 26 over that span. The 25 year old made his Argentina national team debut in September 2018 and scored coming on as a substitute against Iraq.
Mile Svilar has yet to appear for the main squad this season but the 20 year old Belgian shot stopper is still a part of Benfica's future plans. Svilar who has a contract until 2022 with the club joined Benfica in the summer of 2017 from Anderlecht for €4.5M and has appeared in 20 games across all competitions with six clean sheets. Svilar has spent the 2019/20 season with Benfica's B squad appearing in 20 games. Benfica are said to be interested in extending Svilar's contract past the current expiry date as the keeper currently is the clubs third choice behind starter Vlachodimos and Ivan Zlobin. The financial effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic are yet to be known to the club and Benfica are looking to safe guard an important position from within by extending Svilar.
Former Benfica winger Angel Di Maria gave an interview with UEFA's official website recently about his career and made sure to give his first European club Benfica major credit for becoming the player that he is today. Angel Di Maria joined Benfica from Rosario during the summer of 2007 for €8M after winning the World Cup U20 in Canada with Argentina. Di Maria told UEFA's website that Benfica gave him everything in his time with the club and that it is like his first home after making the leap from South America to Europe. Di Maria spent three seasons with Benfica, winning one league title, two league cups and appeared in 118 games across all competitions. Di Maria scored 15 goals while setting up 28 before departing to Real Madrid in the summer of 2010 for a then club record transfer fee of €33M. Di Maria also credited Benfica for earning his first call up to the Argentinian National side in September 2008 and that the club will always be important to him and his family.
