Portuguese giants Benfica have known their Champions League group stage opponents after the draw took place in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Thursday. Benfica sealed their place in the Champions League this season via the playoffs. They had to go through the playoffs after finishing third behind Sporting Lisbon and champions FC Porto in the Portuguese top flight last season.
Scottish Premiership giants Aberdeen are on the verge of signing striker Luis Lopes from Portuguese side Benfica. The 22-year-old attacking talenthas never played for the first team at Benfica, but he’s a regular for the Benfica B team. Lopes has 11 goals in 42 appearances for Benfica B.
Scottish Premiership side Hibernian are leading the race to sign Jair Tavares from Benfica in the Portuguese top flight. This is according to Edinburgh News as it was revealed that the winger will undergo his medical at Hibernian on Wednesday.
Tottenham could be ready to bid for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha amid interest from Premier League rivals. According to Jornal de Noticias (h/t Sport Witness), Tottenham are interested in signing Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha in the summer and plan to make a bid to test Sporting CP’s resolve.
Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has refused to rule out a move away from his Portuguese club this summer in his latest interview as monitored by English publication Daily Star. When asked about his future at Benfica shortly after the second leg clash with hosts Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals, Premier League target Nunez said that his focus is on Benfica at the moment before adding that we will see at the end of the season.
Benfica have been very impressive in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) this season and they are deserving of their place as one of the best eight teams in the world.
It seems like the trouble at the Estadio de Luz is not ending anytime soon. Benfica recently parted ways with Jesus Jorge with a poor form in results the straw that breaks the camel’s back in this saga. The Portuguese has been at loggerheads with key figures at the club, and it was always a matter of time before it happens.
Elsewhere there’s regret on the option to buy clause that was stated in Jota’s loan move to Celtic. Jota was seen as surplus to requirements in the summer by Jesus Jorge, and the player had to leave on a year loan deal to the Celtics. Celtics signed the player but also included an obligation to buy the player for just £6m. When the deal was made, this seemed like the perfect deal for all parties involved.
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