Benfica linked with Bahia midfielder

According to reports coming from Brazil, Benfica are being linked with a summer move for 21 year old midfielder Patrick de Lucca who applies his trade with Brazilian side Bahia since arriving from Palmeiras' under 20 squad in the summer of 2020. De Lucca has an €8M price tag and any sale of the player would see funds split between three clubs, Bahia 50%, Palmeiras 30% and Portuguesa 20%.

De Lucca has appeared in 16 games for Bahia across all competitions and has scored twice while setting up another. Benfica who will be looking to shore up its midfield during the summer transfer window would do well in acquiring the talented youngster as the clubs midfield has been its achilles heal this season relying strictly on Adel Taarabt's skill to provide any attacking options. Bahia currently has defender German Conti on loan from Benfica and the club could use Conti to lower the price tag further.

 

 

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.