Benfica interest in Ricardo Horta remains

Benfica are still intent on landing Braga winger Ricardo Horta but financial terms have yet to be agreed to between the two Portuguese league clubs who are still far apart in price. Benfica are said to be willing to offer Braga €10M plus the services of two players for Horta, while Braga insist on at least €20M plus players to consider moving the 27 year old this summer.

Braga President Antoine Salvador spoke early today and said that although Malaga owns a higher percentage of Horta's playing rights, it is Braga that decides what the price tag to let the player go will be. Horta currently has a €30M buy out clause but is said to have an agreement with the club to allow him to move if the club receives at least €20M for his services.

Benfica to face Midtjylland in Champions League qualifying

Benfica will take on Danish side Midtjylland in a third round qualifier as they kick off their quest for a spot in this seasons Champions League group stage after Midtjylland moved past AEK Larnaca on penalties earlier today. Benfica and Midtjylland will play a two leg affair with the first leg taking place at Benfica's Estadio da Luz on August 2nd and the return leg a week later on the 9th at Midtjylland's MCH Arena.

Benfica and Midtjylland will meet for the first time in Champions League play but the clubs are no strangers to one another having seen their Under 19 squads face off in the UEFA Youth League on two occasions over the past five seasons. Midtjylland was knocked out in last seasons round of 16 by Benfica who then went on to capture the 2022 UEFA Youth League Crown.

Helton Leite looks set to open the season at keeper

Benfica keeper Helton Leite looks to have wrestled the number one keeper job away once again from last seasons starter Odysseas Vlachodimos in a battle that continues to take place between the two keepers since Helton's arrival at Benfica from Boavista in the summer of 2020. Helton looks set to open the season at the clubs number when it kicks off in two weeks time.

Helton claimed the number one keeper job during the half way mark of the 2020/21 season before relinquishing that role back last season to Vlachodimos. This summer has seen the arrival of new manager Roger Schmidt who has reinstated the 31 year old Brazilian netminder back to the role he once held.

Helton's role as the clubs number one keeper could be short lived with Benfica linked to a host of keepers during the summer months, the latest being Eintracht Frankfurt's number one man Kevin Trapp. Benfica have also been linked with Trabzonspor keeper Ugurcan Cakir and Arsenal's Bernd Leno. 

Look for Benfica to complete a few moves at the position before the transfer window closes this summer, the first of which should see a new number one arrive at the Luz and the second move should see the departure of their Greek keeper Vlachodimos.