A big name that is now being mentioned around Portugal with a link to Benfica is former PSG striker Edinson Cavani who is available on a free transfer after departing the Paris side. With big changes expected at Benfica next season with the arrival of Jorge Jesus, Benfica is looking to add a more established striker up front and Cavani's name is the dream that the club would like to make a reality. Jesus had Cavani on his short list while Flamengo's manager and his move to Benfica has not changed the managers plans to take a run at the Uruguayan international. The 33 year old striker has spent the past seven seasons with PSG where he has appeared in 301 games across all competitions, scoring 200 goals while setting up another 43. Cavani would require a large investment by Benfica with his salary demands being in the range of €10M per season, which is a huge stumbling block for the Portuguese side. Alternatively Benfica are also being linked with Sevilla's 24 year old striker Carlos Fernandez who spent the season on loan with Granada and the move would work better within the clubs budget.
Reports from Portugal have Jorge Jesus set to leave Flamengo and rejoin Benfica to take over the managerial role at the club for next season. In true Jesus fashion the report states that Jesus agreed to terms with Benfica without informing Flamengo of his interest in leaving the Brazilian side. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira made Jesus one of his primary targets to take over at the club next season and is set to give Jesus a war chest of close to €100M to overhaul the current squads roster. One of Jesus's first moves is said to be bringing in three of his current Flamengo players in Bruno Henrique, Gerson and Leo Pereira (Read Here) as his Benfica project gets underway.
Jesus' Flamengo era was one of the more successful in club history with the Portuguese manager winning more titles (5) to total losses (4) in 56 games behind the helm of Flamengo. Jesus is set to depart Rio de Janeiro for Lisbon in the coming days and should be announced as the clubs new manager early next week.
Jesus is set to earn between €4M-€5M per year as part of his new three year contract and Benfica will pay Flamengo his release clause which is said to be in the €1M-€2M range. Jesus returns to a club which he lead to three league titles and ten total trophies during his six year reign from 2009 to 2015.
With Benfica's slim title hopes dashed after FC Porto defeated Sporting yesterday to clinch the Portuguese League, the Eagles can still end the season on a high by defeating the league Champions in the Taca de Portugal Final which will take place on August 1st in Coimbra. Benfica will be looking to earn their 30th Taca and make amends after a disappointing run of form cost the club a seven point lead that they held at the end of January. The Taca could see the end of many players careers with Benfica as President Luis Filipe Vieira looks to name a new manager for next season and completely remake the squad.
