Benfica finds out Europa League group

  

Benfica have learned their Europa League group earlier today and will be joined by Scottish side Rangers, Polish club Lech Poznan and Belgian side Standard Liege. Benfica will kick off their Europa League campaign on October 22 in Poland against Poznan.

Benfica's Europa League schedule:

October 22 at Lech Poznan 

October 29 vs Standard Liege

November 5 vs Rangers

November 26 at Rangers

December 3 vs Lech Poznan

December 10 at Standard Liege

Torino interested in Benfica midfielder Chiquinho

Italian club Torino is being linked with Benfica midfielder Chiquinho according to reports coming from Sportitalia. Chiquinho belongs to the sports agency Gestifute which is run by super agent Jorge Mendes and only joined Benfica last summer but with the club now run by new manager Jorge Jesus and looking to add funds after losing a place in the Champions League group stage a number of players are available for the right price. The 25 year old has a contract with the club until the summer of 2024 and appeared in 38 games across all competitions scoring three goals while adding seven helpers. Benfica spent €4.4M to acquire Chiquinho from Moreirense and would want close to three times that to make a move.

Who is next on the for sale list at Benfica

After the sale today of Ruben Dias to Manchester City for €68M plus incentives of an additional €3.6M, the Lisbon side will look to cash in on a few more players from the squad before the summer transfer window closes on October 5. Benfica is looking to balance their books after losing the windfall of making the Champions League group stage when they had already spent €80M+ on arrivals to the club due to the return of former club manager Jorge Jesus.

Benfica will now continue to shop players that Jesus feels is not needed at the club this season, these players include last seasons top scoring striker Carlos Vinicius, midfielder Franco Cervi and a couple of players that spent the season on loan in Facundo Ferreyra, Christian Lema and Alfa Semedo. Benfica are looking to land €45M plus for the services of Vinicius with Tottenham, Leicester City and Crystal Palace all interested in the player but not at that price.