Tiago Gouveia Returns to Benfica

Tiago Gouveia is set to return to Benfica after Nice, where he was on loan from the Portuguese giants, informed him they would not exercise their option to buy clause.

The 24-year-old winger has seen limited playing time over the last month and a half at Nice, who currently sit 15th in Ligue 1 and are battling to avoid relegation. His stint in France didn't meet expectations, and Gouveia is now heading back home to reignite his career.

In March, the winger, who can also play as a full-back, caught the attention of José Mourinho during an appearance on the Final Cut podcast by Sports Tailors agency. “I’ve been told I’d enjoy working with him,” he shared, also expressing admiration for Schjelderup: “I really like him. We complement each other. He’s a player who draws people to the stadium.”

Tiago Gouveia started the season with Benfica, featuring in three matches: a Super Cup victory over Sporting (3 minutes), a win against E. Amadora at Reboleira (1 minute), and a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahçe, then managed by Mourinho, in Istanbul.

He was then loaned to Nice until the end of the season, with an €8 million option-to-buy clause. Had it been exercised—which it won't be—Benfica would have retained a 20 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

The winger featured 24 times for the South of France club, but only started ten of those matches. In December, Nice changed managers—Franck Haise replaced Claude Puel—but Tiago Gouveia never managed to establish himself as a regular starter. In his last five games, he was an unused substitute in three, played 20 minutes against Rennes, and just one minute against Lille on Saturday.

Mourinho will now have to decide Tiago Gouveia's future. Currently, the coach has several options, including Prestianni, Lukebakio, Schjelderup, and Sidny. However, the squad is expected to undergo changes this summer, including in the position Gouveia occupies.