Benfica linked to Diego Costa once again

Benfica are once again being linked with Spanish striker Diego Costa who has been without club since January of this year after mutually agreeing to part ways with Atletico Madrid. According to Spanish publication AS, Costa is intrigued by a return to Portugal, were he spent time in 2006 and 2007 as a member of Braga and Penafiel.

The 32 year old striker prefers a move to join Benfica and although reports state that Benfica reached an agreement with the striker months ago, it is said to depend on the clubs qualification for the Champions League this season. The Brazilian born Spanish International has spent most of his playing career in Spain with a spell in between in England with Chelsea, but has spent a lot of time the past few seasons injured.

Benfica might be wise to avoid a move for Costa due to this fact, as the club currently has Haris Seferovic, Carlos Vinicius, Luca Waldschmidt, Rodrigo Pinho and the currently injured Darwin Nunez along with youngster Goncalo Ramos in a crowded striker position. The club would be wise to use its resources to fill more important needs in the left and right back positions.

Benfica linked to Gent striker from Ukraine

Benfica continue to shop around as they look to strengthen their line up for the 2021/22 season and reports from Belgian site Voetbal24 have the club linked to Gent striker Roman Yaremchuk. Yaremchuk joined Gent in the summer of 2017 from Dynamo Kiev for a mere €2M and has since appeared in 152 games across all competitions for the club, scoring 61 goals. 

Voetbal24 reports that Yaremchuk has given Gent the go ahead to make a move this summer and although AC Milan and West Ham have also been linked with the striker, Yaremchuk is said to prefer a move to Benfica. The only obstacle in place is Gent's price tag on Yaremchuk which is set at €25M but Benfica are currently working on negotiating a lower fee.

The 25 year old was recently a member of Ukraine's 2020 Euro squad, scoring twice in his nations quarter-final run and any move for Yaremchuk would certainly see Benfica move out a striker or two from its current line up with Haris Seferovic and Carlos Vinicius the two most likely to depart the club with his arrival.

Jorge Jesus tired of waiting on Al Musrati wants Arao

Benfica bench boss Jorge Jesus has asked the club to go after one of his former Flamengo players in defensive midfielder Willian Arao according to reports from Portugal. Jesus is frustrated with the progress that the club has made on Braga's Al Musrati and wants to shore up his midfield with the season less then a month away.

Jesus is a fan of Arao's characteristics and what he can bring to the number six position, the move would also cost substantially less then the acquisition of Musrati. Jesus asked the club for two new midfielders this off season and with Joao Mario close to joining the club, Arao would be the second midfielder.

Arao has been with Flamengo since January 2016 and has appeared in 231 games for the club across all competitions, scoring 19 goals while setting up an additional 19. Arao has spent his entire playing career in Brazil and a move to Benfica would be the first time playing abroad for the 29 year old. Arao was a member of Jesus' 2019 Copa Libertadores squad.