Benfica closing in on Gil Vicente midfielder

Benfica could be set to commence negotiations with Fernando Brito who is the player agent for Gil Vicente midfielder Lucas Mineiro who is currently on loan with the Portuguese club from Brazilian side Chapecoense. Mineiro's agent is set to travel to Portugal to discuss options with his player and to meet with Gil Vicente management as the two sides get set to discuss the players future. The 25 year old defensive midfielder's loan is set to expire at the end of June and reports from Portugal have Benfica ready to make a move for Mineiro. Brito has told Portuguese television station TVI that he does not plan to meet with Benfica brass during his visit but that has not stopped the rumours that this could be the start of negotiations between the two sides. Mineiro has appeared in 31 games for Gil Vicente across all competitions and has chipped in two goals while setting up another.

Benfica looking at Valenciennes center back

Benfica are interested in Valenciennes 17 year old center back Ismael Doukoure who is seen as one of the more promising players in French football. The list of potential suitors is at an all time high and some of the potential clubs that will battle Benfica for the youngsters signature are the likes of Inter Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona and Lyon who are all keeping tabs on Doukoure. Valenciennes is said to be looking for around €6M to €8M to let Doukoure go as the center back has a valid contract with the Ligue 2 side until the summer of 2023. Doukoure has appeared in 18 games across all competitions for Valenciennes this season.

Benfica slim title hopes are over with loss to Gil Vicente

With their 2-1 loss today at home to Gil Vicente, we can say that the clubs slim chances to capturing the league title are all but done and this rests heavily on the shoulders of the clubs current manager Jorge Jesus. What many Benfica fans saw as the clubs saviour, (I did not) has led the club to one of their more disappointing seasons in some time, this after spending a record €115.50M in player acquisitions over the summer transfer window.

Benfica's season should be considered a disaster after spending those sums of money to bring in the managers preferred players only to see a run of poor results. Those results have Benfica in third spot in Portugal with their Champions League aspirations hanging in the balance. Benfica trails second placed FC Porto by three points and a guaranteed place in the group stage but are also three points ahead of fourth place Braga and could fall out of the Champions League altogether.