Benfica with eye on Huracan midfielder

Benfica already have their eyes on another Argentinian midfielder in the summer according to reports out of Portugal to replace recently departed midfielder Enzo Fernandez who joined Chelsea on deadline day for a Premier League record breaking fee of €121M. The 21 year old Santiago Hezze who applies his trade with Huracan and appeared in 37 games across all competitions last season is that player and the Lisbon side seeks to make their move when the summer transfer window opens. Hezze is a product of the Huracan youth system who made his breakthrough with the main club during the 2020 season and is now a regular with the squad.

Enzo's stay at Benfica is short as he joins Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez's stay at Benfica could not have been shorter as the Argentinian midfielder departs Lisbon for London to join Chelsea after just arriving in the summer from River Plate in what amounts to a record breaking Premier League fee paid by the English side for the 22 year old. Benfica will receive €121M plus interest on Chelsea's five installments to come, while receiving €45M up front to close the deal now.

Enzo Fernandez was far from a house hold name in most parts of the world until appearing at Benfica where he caught the eye of some of Europe's giants with his play. Enzo almost did not arrive at the club until this transfer window after Benfica and River Plate came to an agreement that he would remain in Argentina until River were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, this luckily happened in early July in the round of 16.

Fernandez leaves Benfica after appearing in 29 games across all competitions, scoring four goals while setting up an additional seven, Benfica acquired Enzo in the summer for €10M with €8M in incentives in which €4M has already been paid to River Plate. Enzo was a key piece of Argentina's World Cup 2022 winning squad and was named the Young Player of the tournament increasing his value around the globe.

Fernandez's former club River Plate are entitled to 25% of the sale price and while Benfica have not replaced the out going midfielder they will be allowed to place bags of cash all around the field for the remainder of the season.

Nelson Semedo the next to return back home

Former Benfica right back Nelson Semedo is linked with a return back to Benfica following in the footsteps of the clubs recent loan acquisition Goncalo Guedes who joined the club for the remainder of the season. Semedo's contract with Wolverhampton is set to expire at seasons end and the 29 year old is rumoured to be ready to make his return to the Estadio da Luz after departing six seasons ago.

Benfica sold Semedo to Barcelona in the summer of 2017 for a cool €35.7M, Semedo has since then joined Wolverhampton in the summer of 2020 but all reports indicate that Semedo is set to come back to Portugal and Benfica is his preferred destination. Semedo appeared in 65 games for the club across all competitions before his departure, scoring three goals while setting up an additional twelve.