Barrenechea left out at Estoril amid fitness concerns, Valencia talks in stalemate | OneFootball

Barrenechea was omitted from Benfica’s squad for the 3-1 win at Estoril, his absence drawing attention.

A Bola reports that the 24-year-old was left out after physical issues during the week, leaving him short of the levels needed to feature. The report adds he is not injured, only below the desired fitness.

Limited game time is also proving an issue for the midfielder, whose conditioning is affected by a lack of regular minutes. He has not been an automatic starter since January, when Benfica faced Estoril at Estádio da Luz.

His future is likely to involve a return to Valencia, although negotiations are at an impasse, with the Spanish club pursuing a loan and Benfica preferring a sale.

Barrenechea, valued at 15 million euros, has made 43 appearances this season for Benfica, 26 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 13 in the Liga dos Campeões, two in the Taça de Portugal, one in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 2,967 minutes he has scored two goals and supplied one assist.

Source: Glorioso 1904