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In the press conference after the European elimination against PAOK, and after Benfica not only managed to maintain an economic contribution of almost 40 million euros in the Champions League, Jorge Jesús assured that he had not asked Luís for another striker. Filipe Vieira. And immediately added another detail: If it happens, only one more reinforcement would enter the squad and it would be a center-back. And if that was already a priority movement for the coach, now it becomes essential.
Benfica has practically closed the transfer of Rúben Dias to Manchester City, in a deal that will be agreed at 60 million euros plus 5 to 10 for objective clauses and also the integration of Otamendi in the red squad. Talks are still being held to adjust the Argentine’s salary, but everything is on track. Otamendi, 32, returns to Portugal in this way after having represented FC Porto for four seasons: he left for Valencia in 2014, already after a loan from Atl. Mineiro, and came to Manchester City in 2015, losing space in the team in recent seasons. Already Rúben Dias, Portuguese international, joins Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo and fattens the Portuguese contingent in Guardiola’s team, with this particularity of all those who come from the red formation.
Otamendi was with FC Porto from 2010 to 2014, before leaving for Valencia and then being transferred to Manchester City
With the departure of Rúben Dias, Jorge Jesus now has Vertonghen, Otamendi, Jardel and Ferro as options for the defense axis. The intention of the Portuguese coach continues to be to hire another pivot, Rúben Semedo being the great favorite, and to dispense with the services of Ferro, who must be transferred. The truth is that Benfica has lost one of the team’s references in recent years and one of the leaders of the dressing room – despite being only 23 years old, Rúben Dias is one of the most respected elements of the team and one of the few that still form the bridge between the post -Jorge Jesus and Jorge Jesus of the present. It is Benfica’s second exit in a few hours, after confirming Florentino’s loan to Monaco, and it leaves Luz with a Premier League and a Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup in the honors.
Benfica continues to fix the house: Florentino loaned to Monaco until the end of the season
At the press conference prior to Saturday’s reception for Moreirense, Jorge Jesús had already hinted that the central defender could even leave. “There are no untouchable players. I mean, there’s Messi, Ronaldo … These are from another galaxy. But there are important players and Rúben Dias is one of them. He is one of the starters of the team that is made at Seixal, he is the only Portuguese international who plays as a starter for Benfica… That means something. He is a child, has a lot of value and is important in that sector. Right now we only have three centrals because Jardel is injured. Right now it is essential, but I was also used to the fact that the years I was at Benfica sold the best. If you start with Rúben Dias…. If I had liked? No, but if the financial component is important, we are open to that ”, The incarnate technician said about the central that he had a contract until 2024 and a termination clause amounting to 100 million euros.
The Portuguese central defender, who started training at Estrela da Amadora and moved to Benfica at age 11, made his debut for the red team in March 2016, when he was called up by Rui Vitória for a Champions League match against Zenit. In the following season, in 2017/18, he became a regular option in Benfica’s starting eleven and has acquired leader status ever since. In Manchester City, Rúben Dias will have his first international adventure and joins John Stones, Laporte, Nathan Aké and Eric García, the other centers that Guardiola has at his disposal and that have been one of the most fragile sectors of the team in recent years, with the Spanish coach frequently turning to a Fernandinho adapted for the position.
