Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has asked club President Luis Filipe Vieira for a new midfield after guiding the club to a third place finish in the Portuguese League during the 2020/21 season. Benfica could see a total overhaul from it's current midfield which would see the likes of Pizzi, Gabriel, Julian Weigl, Chiquinho, Taarabt and Franco Cervi all depart the club this summer with Weigl the likely only one of the bunch to provide the club with a windfall after a terrific season.
Benfica has been looking within the league to shore up its current squad and has already been linked in the midfield with Braga's Al Musrati, Famalicao's Manual Ugarte and Farense's Ryan Gauld. Benfica will also get back midfielders Florentino Luis and Gedson Fernandes from loan spells abroad. Jorge Jesus is hoping to fix what was a sore spot this season for the club as they look to right the ship and get back to their winning ways, the club will have a short break before returning to training as they hope to qualify for the Champions League group stage.
Benfica continue to be linked with summer moves for Portuguese League players a change in tactics for the club with the latest player being Farense midfielder Ryan Gauld. The 25 year old was the only bright spot on a Farense side that was relegated to the second division and will become a free agent in the summer if Farense does not activate option for another year, with a host of suitors lining up for his services.
Gauld appeared in 34 games across all competitions for Farense and scored nine goals while setting up another seven. Gauld arrived in Portugal with Sporting as an 18 year old from Scotland's Dundee United and was hailed as the Scottish Messi but never really got a chance at the Lisbon side, appearing in only two league games and five in total over his five seasons at the club.
Gauld joined Farense in the summer of 2019 and was a key player in the clubs promotion to Portugal's top flight, his performances have not only caught the eye of Benfica but Gauld has also been linked with Premiership side Southampton and Polish club Legia Warsaw. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus is looking to add a creative midfielder to the squad during the summer and Ryan Gauld's skill set has the manager very interested in his services.
Turkish side Galatasaray are hoping to extend Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes loan spell for another season after the 22 year old joined in February 2021 after a 18 month loan spell with English club Tottenham was cut short. Gedson has appeared in 18 games across all competitions since joining Galatasaray, scoring once while chipping in three assists.
Galatasaray are said to be willing to pay Benfica €1M for a season long of Gedson according to publication Fanatik and are hoping that the relationship between current manager Fatih Terim and Vice President Rui Costa will be able to seal the move. Terim and Costa trained together when both were players of AC Milan and Fiorentina.
