What's next for Benfica after adding Ristic to club

Benfica announced the arrival of left back Mihailo Ristic earlier today and signed what looks to be Alex Grimaldo's replacement for four seasons, acquiring the 26 year old Serbian on a free transfer after Ristic spent the past three seasons with French club Montpellier. Ristic joins striker Petar Musa and new manager Roger Schmidt as the new faces that have arrived at the club since the end of the season.

Benfica are still in the market to acquire a variety of new players for various positions within the club as they look to completely make over a squad that has under performed the past few seasons. Benfica have been linked with a group of players from PSV, which is new manager Schmidt's old club as well as other Dutch league players familiar to Schmidt in his time in the Eredivisie League.

Benfica fans can expect at least an additional five to seven more player additions before the 2022/23 season commences but they will also be moving on from about the same amount of players if not more as the club looks to right the ship and compete for titles once again.

Roger Schmidt arrives in Lisbon

Benfica will officially announce the hiring of German manager Roger Schmidt at some point today as the 55 year old has arrived in Lisbon to officially sign his contract with the club. Schmidt will receive a two year deal with an option for a third year as he begins work on bringing the club back from it's current abyss.

The announcement of Schmidt's hiring was delayed by a week due to current Benfica President Rui Costa having tested positive for COVID-19 which made him unavailable to meet with his new manager and announce the hiring of Schmidt. Schmidt arrived this morning at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado airport and is eager commence his work at the club.

Benfica make third move of the off season

Benfica announced their third move of the off season acquiring Boavista striker Petar Musa for €5M and signing the 24 year old Croatian to at 5 year deal with an €80M buy out clause. The deal also includes Boavista acquiring 50% of left back Ricardo Mangas playing rights which will now give the Porto club full ownership of the player and they also also receive 50% of defensive midfielder Illija Vukotic playing rights.

Benfica expect to be busy this off season having already moved on from intern manager Nelson Verissimo and hiring his replacement in PSV's German manager Roger Schmidt. Benfica are now looking to bolster there midfield next, already being linked to a host of players from Europe and South America. 

Our original Petar Musa transfer blog from April 2022 ➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️ HERE