Benfica interested in bringing Bayern Munich’s Raphaël Guerreiro to native Portugal for the first time in Bundesliga veteran’s career | OneFootball

Portugal’s Record newspaper – as relayed by transfermarkt.de – reports that Bayern Munich all-rounder Raphaël Guerreiro may be headed back to his native country for the first time in his professional career.

Benfica are reported to be interested in the 32-year-old, who will be departing Bayern on an expiring contract at the end of the season. The 65-times-capped international is available on a free transfer, yet will still command a high salary and signing bonus. 

Raphaël Guerreiro set to conclude a prolific Bundesliga career

Guerreiro joined Bayern on a free transfer from league rivals Borussia Dortmund three summers ago. He played seven seasons for die Schwarzgelben after moving from FC Lorient in the summer of 2016. All told, Guerreiro contested 218 Bundesliga matches for Germany’s two largest clubs. He has always been regarded as a fan favorite. 

Predominantly known as a left back, Guerreiro featured on both sides of the defensive axis for BVB. Late in the 2022/23 campaign, Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic began successfully using Guerreiro as a midfielder. FCB head coach Vincent Kompany took it one step further, sometimes deploying him as high as the No. 10 position. 

Bayern considered cashing in on Guerreiro during the recent January transfer window, but ultimately decided that he remained important to the club. As it turns out, Guerreiro hasn’t started in the league yet during the 2026 calendar year. He did serve in Kompany’s XI during the recent Champions League victory over Atalanta Bergamo and turned in an excellent performance. 

“You could always count on Rapha on the field,” Bayern Munich Board Member for Sport Max Eberl noted in a club statement released yesterday. “And players with his character enrich any locker room. The discussions with him were good, based on trust and mutual understanding, but we’ve decided to part company. There remain plenty of goals we wish to accomplish together.“

GGFN | Peter Weis