Benfica have their eyes on Ponte Preta keeper Ivan as the potential replacement for current starting keeper Vlachodimos if the latter is to move on this summer with rumours swirling that Newcastle are ready to pounce on the Greek International. Vlachodimos has a buy out clause of €60M and Newcastle are hoping that the Benfica keeper is in the mold of former club keepers Ederson and Jan Oblak and are confident that he can be had for less then the buy out clause. Manager Jorge Jesus has identified keeper Ivan as his top target and has been interested in the 23 year old
since his time at Flamengo.
With the collapse of negotiations between Benfica and free agent striker Edinson Cavani due to the players exuberant salary demands, Benfica continue their search for an elite striker for the upcoming season and reports from Spain have the club now seriously considering a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid are also hunting for attacking options and with one year remaining on the Spanish International's contract, Atletico could be open to discuss a sale for the 31 year old.
Super agent Jorge Mendes is Costa's representative and has brokered many deals between the two clubs over the years with the most recent being Joao Felix's sale for €126M last summer. Diego Costa appeared in 30 games across all competitions for Atletico last year, scoring five times while setting up another five and last scored double digits in a season while a member of Chelsea four seasons ago. New Benfica manager Jorge Jesus' attacking style could revitalize Costa's career which has seen a decline due to injuries and form since joining Atletico in 2018.
Benfica have decided to stop the pursuit of striker Edinson Cavani according to reports coming out of Portugal due to the Uruguayans exuberant salary demands. After weeks of rumours and speculation with reports coming out just yesterday that the club and Cavani had reached an agreement on a three year deal for €10M per season, it is now all over. Benfica was still open to paying a higher signing bonus over six years to the striker but Cavani's camp wanted everything in salary to the tune of €60M over three years thus ending talks.
Benfica have now decided that they will look elsewhere in their pursuit of a top striker at a more affordable price, moving away from the 33 year old who's salary demands just become too rich for the Lisbon side to bare. Benfica has a crucial Champions League playoff qualifier for a spot in the lucrative group stage coming up in a months time and manager Jorge Jesus would like to have a striker in place to conform to the clubs new tactics putting the pressure on club President Luis Filipe Vieira to deliver.
