Benfica ready to add Lille's Xeka to squad

Benfica are said to be currently in talks to bring home 27 year old Lille midfielder Xeka to the club next season as the Portuguese born midfielder will be out of contract at seasons end and be able to join the Lisbon side on a free transfer making a return to Portugal since departing back in 2017 according to reports from Portugal.

Xeka first joined Lille on loan from Braga during the winter of 2017 and made the move permanent for €5M in the summer of 2017. Xeka has appeared in 143 games across all competitions for the French club, scoring eight goals while setting up an additional seven. Xeka has not only played at Braga but also spent some time with Covilha at the senior level.

Benfica to return to Almeria for another striker

Benfica look to try their luck again this summer with a striker currently at Spanish second division side Almeria and hope to strike gold as they did in the summer of 2020 when they acquired Darwin Nunez from the same club. With Nunez set to depart for greener pastures this summer and Benfica ready to reap a windfall of cash for the sale of the 22 year old, the club is looking to acquire a replacement for the Uruguayan international.

According to reports coming from Italy, Benfica are in talks already with Almeria for the clubs current number one striker Umar Sadiq. The 25 year old was Nunez's replacement at the Spanish side and has scored 38 goals across all competitions since joining the club over the past two seasons. Almeria is also set to reap a windfall from Benfica's sale of Darwin Nunez based on an add on clause that will see them receive 20% of any future sale that Benfica make on the player. This itself should see the clubs want to work together once more.

 

Boavista striker almost guaranteed at Benfica

Benfica are preparing for the summer transfer window even with it still two months away as the club looks to strengthen itself to compete for next season. Benfica have accepted that they will be moving on from current striker and league scoring leader Darwin Nunez during the summer months as the 22 year old Uruguayan has caught the attention of many of Europe's top clubs in a move that should bring in a record haul for the Lisbon side.

Benfica are also said to be ready to move on from Swiss striker Haris Seferovic, while striker Rodrigo Pinho has gone through two injury plagued seasons and is not being counted on for next year. This would leave Benfica with only two striking options in youngster Goncalo Ramos and Roman Yaremchuk with a host of spots to fill on the squad up front.

According to reports in Portugal, Benfica have already set their sights on one league striker who has scored eleven goals and set up three across all competitions for Boavista this season, that striker's name is Petar Musa who is on loan from Slavia Prague. Musa's loan deal includes a clause that has already been automatically activated, when Musa hit the ten goal mark in February. Boavista are now on the hook to pay Slavia Prague €3.5M for the 24 year old Musa while Benfica monitor the situation closely and ready to act financially to assist Boavista with finalizing the move.