Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica is actively working in the transfer market to sign two center-backs this summer. The need to strengthen the defensive axis was defined after the departure of captain Nicolás Otamendi, at the end of his contract, and gained even more urgency with the sale of Gonçalo Oliveira to Rennes for €3.5 million.
Who are Benfica's targets?
The objective of Benfica is to ensure the signing of an experienced center-back, capable of offering immediate performance and assuming a leadership role in the defense.
Why is it important to strengthen the defense?
The departure of Otamendi, who represented the club for five seasons and signed with River Plate, left a significant void that the club's structure intends to fill with a player of quality and strong personality.
| Player | Club | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Cuenca | Fulham | €10 million |
Benfica is also considering signing a younger center-back, aligned with a medium-term strategy. The team's situation reinforces this urgency. Tomás Araújo is currently serving the National Team at the 2026 World Cup and may not be available when Benfica starts its participation in the Europa League qualifiers on July 23.
What is the current context of Benfica?
The team is in 3rd place in the Primeira Liga, with 80 points, 23 wins, 11 draws, and 0 losses in 34 games, and a goal difference of +49. The team is also 8 points behind leader FC Porto.
Benfica intends to accelerate the process of signing center-backs with the imminent arrival of Marco Silva. Stefan de Vrij, a 34-year-old Dutch international who ended his contract with Inter and became a free agent, was once considered an option, especially with José Mourinho. However, the change of coach and doubts related to the player's physical condition led the club to freeze the hypothesis.
