Benfica deals stalling over money

Benfica are still hoping to land a couple of players before the transfer window closes in a few weeks and two of the players most linked with the club for some time now are Braga winger Ricardo Horta and Feyenoord defensive midfielder Fredrik Aursnes but both of these acquisitions seem stalled now due to money demands by their respective clubs.

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has recently stated that Aursnes will not be leaving the club after a breakdown in negotiations as the Dutch side are now demanding €15M for the Norwegian's services up from the earlier reported €10M, while the Horta situation is more complicated as Malaga still own 66% of the players playing rights and are currently in discussions with Braga over selling price.

Horta is said to have already agreed to terms with Benfica and the Lisbon side has tabled a €15M offer along with the playing rights of Gil Dias and a loan of striker Rodrigo Pinho. In other news Benfica have loaned midfielder Gabriel to Botafogo for a year with an option to extend the loan until the end of 2023.

Benfica advance to playoff round of Champions League

Benfica have advanced to the final playoff round of the Champions League after a convincing 7-2 aggregate victory over two legs against Danish club Midtjylland which concluded earlier today with a 3-1 away win. Benfica will now face Ukrainian club Dynamo Kiev who advanced in additional extra time over Sturm Graz.

The winner of this two leg playoff round will clinch a spot in the Champions League group stage and be awarded a hefty prize bonus of around €40M, while the other will drop down into the group stage of the Europa League. Benfica will play the first leg away on August 17 and host the return leg a week later on the 24th at the Luz. 

Dynamo will host Benfica in a neutral site game in Poland due to the on going war currently taking place in the Ukraine and have played in only four competitive games to date this year which have all taken place over the past few weeks as they to reach the group stage.

Roger Schmidt has high praise for Enzo

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt had high praise for recently acquired midfielder Enzo Fernandez after last nights league opening win, he admits to be pleasantly surprised with Enzo during the preseason and in the clubs first two competitive games as the 21 year old is already stepping up and providing the production from the midfield position which was lacking throughout most of last season.

Fernandez has scored in back to back games and is already taking a big step forward in his first trip across the pond and into European football. Schmidt also added that he has been impressed with Enzo's willingness to ask for the ball in risky situations and feels that he is in the right place to see his game grow.