Benfica extend the contract of Roger Schmidt

Benfica, one of the most successful football clubs in Portugal, has extended the contract of their head coach Roger Schmidt. The German coach joined Benfica in the summer of 2022 and has already made a significant impact on the team's performance with the club currently sitting atop the Portuguese League and into the Champions League quarter-final stage.

The extension of Schmidt's contract is a clear indication that the club management is satisfied with his work and believes that he can lead the team to further success. It also shows that Benfica is committed to building a long-term project under Schmidt's guidance. Schmidt's contract will go into the summer of 2026 and include an undisclosed buy out clause that should increase from the current €9M mark.

Italian clubs interested in Benfica's Rafa Silva

Italian clubs are reportedly interested in signing Benfica's Rafa Silva. The 29-year-old Portuguese winger has been in impressive form this season, scoring twelve goals and providing nine assists across all competitions. According to reports in Portugal, Lazio and Napoli are among a host of clubs monitoring Rafa's situation at Benfica. 

The Italian sides are said to be impressed with his performances and believe that he would add quality to their respective squads. Rafa joined Benfica from Braga in the summer of 2016 and has since become a key player for the Lisbon-based club. The winger's current contract with Benfica runs until the summer of 2024, but it remains to be seen if he will stay at the club beyond this season. 

Overall, it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga unfolds over the coming months as Italian clubs continue their pursuit of Rafa Silva.

Benfica hope to sign new contract with Otamendi

Benfica are pushing forward in new contract discussions with current captain Nicolas Otamendi who's contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the this season. The 35 year old center back has been a member of the club since the summer of 2020 and has appeared in 118 games across all competitions, the regular in the clubs starting XI, Otamendi has scored two goals while providing two helpers. Otamendi has been vital in the grooming of the clubs 19 year old star center back Antonio Silva.