Benfica move on from Jose Gomes

Benfica has come to an agreement with Bulgarian club Cherno More Varna on the permanent transfer of striker Jose Gomes, ending a relationship with the 21 year old striker that dates back to 2012. Cherno More is managed by former Benfica player Ilian Iliev and plays in Bulgaria's top league, Gomes will join fellow Portuguese players Leandro Andrade and Rodrigo Vilela at the club. Gomes appeared in five games with Benfica's main squad, totaling 118 minutes and failed to score or provide an assist in that span. Gomes was named the player of the tournament in 2016 when Portugal won the Euro U17 tournament, scoring seven goals in six games during tournament play but could not transfer his success to the main squad. Gomes spent the last couple of seasons on loan with Portimonense and Polish side Lechia Gdansk but was unimpressive during both loan spells. Gomes will get a fresh start in Bulgarian football and at the young age of 21 could still live up to the tag as one of the clubs more promising Seixal academy players if he gets his game back on track. No terms of the deal have been announced at this time.

Benfica file complaint against Sporting with Federation

Benfica file grievance with the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary council against Sporting for the potential illegal use of Joao Palhinha during the clubs recent Lisbon derby encounter on February 1. The Sporting midfielder had received his fifth yellow card of the season against Boavista the week prior which leads to an automatic one game suspension but Sporting appealed to the Central Administrative Court who suspended the decision that had suspended Palhinha from playing in the Lisbon Derby. Palhinha came on as a substitute during the game and was on the field when Sporting scored the winner in additional time which motivated Benfica to file the grievance against Sporting for going through the civil courts, something that is not permitted by sports regulations. Palhinha has continued to play for Sporting while his suspension is under analysis as Sporting risk being deducted points and fined if the disciplinary council rule in favour of Benfica.

Benfica interested in Napoli fullback

Italian website Tuttomercatoweb is reporting that Benfica has reached out to the representatives of Napoli right back Elseid Hysaj who's contract ends at the conclusion of this season and is currently free to negotiate a new contract with any club. The 27 year old right back has played in only half of Napoli's league games, with the majority of those games played at the left back position. The Albanian international joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 for €5M from Empoli and has appeared in 208 games for the Italian side across all competitions, scoring once and providing nine helpers. Hysaj is said to be ready to move from Napoli as his playing time has diminished over the past couple of seasons. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has not been content with his options at the right back position after the season ending injury to starter Andre Almeida and has flipped flopped between summer signing Gilberto and youngster Diogo Goncalves. Benfica are hoping that Hysaj will bring a bit more stability to the position whether it be in a number one role or as the clubs back up.