Botafogo want to make Gabriel loan permanent

Brazilian side Botafogo are hoping to keep midfielder Gabriel permanently when his loan move from Benfica expires at the end of the current year, as the 29 year old has become a key piece to the surprising first place club.

Gabriel joined Botafogo in the summer of 2022 once it became clear that incoming manager Roger Schmidt did not see the midfielder in his plans for the season. Benfica acquired Gabriel from Leganes in the summer of 2018 for €9.6M but Botafogo are hoping that they can land Gabriel for a cost effective price before his loan deal runs out.

Gabriel made 100 appearances for Benfica across all competitions in his time at the club, scoring five goals while providing seven helpers.

 

Benfica need to get moving on Rafa Silva contract

Benfica will need to turn their focus on speedy winger Rafa Silva who's contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Rafa is said to be looking for a contract with an annual base salary of €5M per season which would double his current stipend but Benfica are said to have gone as high as €3.5M at this time.

President Rui Costa has until January to make a deal with Rafa before he is free to talk to any club and sign for free. The 30 year old has been with Benfica since arriving from Braga in the summer of 2016 and has appeared in 278 games for the club across all competitions. Rafa has scored 75 goals while providing 67 helpers in that time.

Rafa has captured six trophies while a member of Benfica with three of those being Portuguese League titles.

Benfica players set for International break

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has given the club's players a five day break until Friday for those who will not be departing on International duty for their respective countries Benfica is currently carrying 26 players on their first team and thirteen of those players will be on duty with their home nations.

Benfica players set for International Duty:

Portugal: Antonio Silva

Portugal U21: Samuel Soares, Joao Neves, Tomas Araujo

Argentina - Nico Otamendi, Angel di Maria

Norway - Fredrik Aursnes

Croatia - Petar Musa

Turkey - Orkun Kokcu

Ukraine - Anatoliy Trubin 

Denmark - Alexander Bah

Brazil U23 - Morato

Japan U22- Leo Kokubo