Benfica turned away Zenit before window closed

Benfica decided during the transfer window that they preferred to keep Portuguese International forward Rafa Silva with the club as opposed to agreeing to terms with Russian side Zenit. Benfica turned down a move for the 28 year old that would have saw the club pocket €30M but with Benfica qualifying for the Champions League and a guaranteed €37M to start by making the group stage it was easy to turn away the lucrative offer.

Rafa has been with Benfica since the summer of 2016 and has appeared in 188 games for the club across all competitions. Rafa in that time has scored 49 goals while setting up an additional 32, the speedy winger has yet to play outside of Portugal during his playing career. It was Zenit's second failed attempt to lure Rafa to Russia after failing to come to terms with Braga in 2016 and losing out on the player to Benfica then.

Rostov trying to close Gabriel loan move

Benfica are in talks with Russian side FC Rostov on a potentially loan move for midfielder Gabriel, which would need to be closed quickly with the Russian transfer window set to close tomorrow. The two clubs are still discussing financial terms and a medical would still need to be done. The 27 year old is not in manager Jorge Jesus' plans for the season and Benfica are hoping to move out the Brazilian on a cash loan to Rostov.

Gabriel joined Benfica in the summer of 2018 from Leganes for €9.6M and has appeared in 100 games for the club across all competitions, scoring five goals while setting up another seven goals. Gabriel was a member of the Bruno Lage squad that came back with a magical run to capture the clubs last league title during the 2018/19 season. Gabriel also won the 2019 Portuguese Super Cup and has spent a good chunk of his youth career in Italy.

Benfica announce Champions League squad

Benfica have announced their Champions League squad for the 2021/22 group stage campaign which is set to kick off later this month. Jorge Jesus has announced a squad of players that he will have to chose from on game days baring any injuries. * is B List player

The squad looks as follows:

Keepers: Vlachodimos, Helton Leite, Mile Svilar

Defenders: Andre Almeida, Gilberto, Jan Vertonghen, Otamendi, Ferro, Lucas Verissimo, Alex Grimaldo, *Morato

Midfielders: Pizzi, Joao Mario, Julien Weigl, Meite, Taarabt, Diogo Goncalves, Gedson Fernandes, Everton, Radonjic, Lazaro,*Paulo Bernardo

Forwards: Darwin Nunez, Yaremchuk, *Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, Haris Seferovic, Rodrigo Pinho