Benfica's final push for Champions League spot

Benfica enter the final five league games sitting in third spot and hoping to land a coveted place in next seasons Champions League group stage by finishing in the top two places in Portugal which would guarantee the club millions. Benfica are currently four points behind second place FC Porto and ten points behind league leaders Sporting and will need a little help while maintaining a perfect run in their final games.

Benfica have the most difficult five games compared to Sporting and FC Porto, a final five that includes three games against clubs in the top six. This includes games against both clubs in front of them at home and a road game against Guimaraes. Benfica's other two games which are both on the road will take place against Tondela and Nacional. 

All is not lost if Benfica do not finish in the top two but their road to the Champions League becomes all that more difficult having to pass two rounds before earning their place all the while keeping an eye on fourth place Braga who still sit within shooting distance of third place just five points back.

Rafa Silva opened to departing club in summer

According to reports coming out of Portugal, Benfica winger Rafa Silva could be set to depart the Lisbon club during the summer transfer window and a move abroad is in his sights. The 27 year old is having a very good season with the club and Benfica are looking to finally cash in on a player they acquired in the summer of 2016 from Braga for a then record €16M fee. English clubs Everton and Newcastle have been linked with Rafa in the past and Benfica is said to be looking at a sale price of €50M for the Portuguese international.

Rafa has spent his entire career in Portugal to date and is said to be very interested in playing in England before his career comes to an end. Rafa has appeared in 177 career games for Benfica across all competitions, scoring 46 goals while adding 31 helpers. Rafa has won two Portuguese League titles, along with a Taca de Portugal and Super Cup during his Benfica career and was a member of the Portugal national team during the nations two cup triumphs, Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019.

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.