Benfica need options in the midfield

Benfica are poised to move out more players before the transfer window closes in the next few weeks with the likely departure of midfielder Julian Weigl next on the list, followed by another midfielder in Soualiho Meite. This would leave Benfica rather thin in the midfield position with only newly acquired Enzo Fernandez joined by Joao Mario and Florentino as players that manager Roger Schmidt would be open to using regularly aside from a bunch of unproven academy players, which are headlined by Paulo Bernardo.

Benfica have already moved on from Pizzi this summer and have banished Adel Taarabt and Gabriel to practice with the clubs B squad so reinforcements are needed sooner rather then later as the club goes through the qualifying round phase of the Champions League commencing this week. Benfica have been linked to Feyenoord midfielder Fredrick Aursnes along with Shakhtar Donetsk's Maycon over the past few weeks but nothing has moved forward on those fronts.

 

Benfica could also look within their league for players that can fill the roles required while saving funds on the cost to acquire them. Famalicao's Gustavio Assuncao is a hidden gem that would be a more then an adequate replacement for Weigl in the clubs starting XI. Estoril's Andre Franco and Guimaraes' Andre Almeida are two other names that can shore up the clubs depth in the midfield, combined these three players have appeared in 171 league games so experience is not lacking.

Benfica unveil Champions League roster

 

Benfica have released their roster for their upcoming third round qualifier against Midtjylland that will see the first leg held at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday before the club travels to Denmark for the second leg next week.

Benfica roster for Champions League qualifier:

List A: Vlachodimos, Helton Leite, Gilberto, Alex Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Alexander Bah, Ristic, Otamendi, Andre Almeida, Joao Victor, Meite, Julian Weigl, Chiquinho, Gil Dias, Joao Mario, Enzo Fernandez, David Neres, Rafa Silva, Yaremchuk, Petar Musa, Diogo Goncalves

List B: Samuel Soares, Kokubo, Andre Gomes, Antonio Silva, Morato, Florentino, Paulo Bernardo, Martim Neto, Goncalo Ramos, Henrique Araujo, Diego Moreira

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.