Benfica Transfer Market: Harwood-Bellis is the Target, But There Are Others...

Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed last Wednesday, before departing for Scotland—where the team secured qualification for the Europa League play-off against Hearts—that a new center-back would arrive "in the coming days." The club's management has been working intensely to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Southampton's 24-year-old defender. The Englishman is Benfica's top target, with the club reportedly willing to spend up to €20 million to finalize the transfer, though they are not looking to increase their offer.

Harwood-Bellis is reportedly keen on swapping the Championship for the Portuguese league, but Southampton is resisting the move. The English club paid €23 million to sign the defender from Manchester City, where he came through the academy, following loan spells at Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht, Stoke City, and Burnley. He eventually joined Southampton in the 2023/24 season, initially on loan.

Benfica aims to exhaust all negotiation avenues for Harwood-Bellis, who finished last season with 48 appearances, seven goals, and two assists, before moving on to other targets. Nevertheless, in recent days, the Eagles have accelerated contacts for identified alternatives. Exploratory approaches were made for Fikayo Tomori, AC Milan's 28-year-old English center-back, and Tosin Adarabioyo, also English and 28, who plays for Chelsea. However, these discussions did not progress beyond the initial phase.

Meanwhile, news of another potential move emerged from the Netherlands. According to the Eindhovens Dagblad newspaper, the Eagles have sounded out PSV about a possible acquisition of 23-year-old Ryan Flamingo. The same source indicates that the Dutch champions are prepared to sell the center-back for around €20 million. After making 49 appearances in his first season, Flamingo played another 42 matches the following season. This current season, he has two appearances and one goal for PSV.

While Benfica still anticipates further signings, including a winger and a defensive midfielder, the club's priority remains securing a central defender, following the departures of Otamendi and António Silva. Currently, manager Marco Silva's primary options at center-back are Tomás Araújo and Clément Lenglet, alongside young academy graduates from Seixal and 18-year-old Brazilian defender Gabriel Índio, who recently joined the club. The lack of defensive depth has forced the Benfica coach to experiment with various adaptations, with midfielder Manu Silva also being considered as an option for the defensive line.