Benfica set to take Belenenses in quarter-finals

Benfica are set to take on Belenenses in the Taca de Portugal quarter-final game towards the end of the month after defeating Amadora 4-0 in their round of 16 game. Benfica got a pair of goals from Chiquinho with Seferovic and Waldschmidt chipping in as they cruised to past the division three side. Belenenses SAD had to come from two goals down to defeat Fafe 3-2 in additional extra time to get to the quarter-final stage. The winner of the Benfica/Belenenses game will face the winner of Maritimo/Estoril in a two leg semi-final encounter before moving into the Taca de Portugal Finals. Benfica have won 29 Taca de Portugal titles.

Is Goncalo Ramos being dangled to Maritimo for Pinho?

With Benfica having secured the signature of Maritimo striker Rodrigo Pinho on a free transfer after his contract ends with the Madeira club this summer, Benfica manager Jorge Jesus is pushing to have the 29 year old join the club now instead of later this year. Maritimo have no interest in allowing their leading scorer from this season and last to depart before his contract runs out without an incentive from the Lisbon side, so look for the clubs to complete a loan swap if Pinho is to join Benfica this month.

The name that has been whispered around Portugal with a move to Maritimo is 19 year old youngster Goncalo Ramos, the attacking forward would join the Madeira club on loan until seasons end, providing Ramos with valuable experience while he plays regular minutes at Maritimo. Ramos has only appeared in 180 minutes for Benfica across all competitions this season scoring once while setting up another, he has also appeared in four games for Benfica B were he scored seven goals and added three assists earning himself a promotion to the main club.

Pinho who has been on fire this season for Maritimo has scored sixteen goals across all competitions in just fourteen games, with one of his markers coming yesterday in a surprise Maritimo win over Sporting in Taca de Portugal action. It is no wonder that Jorge Jesus is pushing to have the productive striker join the club now and not in the summer.

Chiquinho with many options to leave club

Benfica attacking midfielder Chiquinho looks set to move on from the club during the winter transfer period and the 25 year old has many suitors lining up for his services. Benfica have already been approached by Russian side Krasnodar who were looking to strike a deal for Chiquinho last season, Italian club Torino seem to have also re-kindled their interest in the player. Chiquinho has also been linked with a move to the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer and reports also state that Chiquinho has interest from clubs in Spain, France and Turkey to chose from. Chiquinho joined Benfica last season from Moreirense for €5.25M and has appeared in 46 games for the club across all competitions scoring three times while setting up another seven. With the arrival of Jorge Jesus at the club Chiquinho has only appeared in eight games of the clubs 24 this season.