Circati ‘to join’ Benfica in €18m plus €2m deal | OneFootball

Circati is close to joining Benfica from Parma for €18m plus €2m in bonuses, becoming their fifth signing of 2026/27. According to Glorioso 1904, an agreement between the clubs is in place and the defender could arrive in Lisbon shortly.

Born in Fidenza in northwest Italy, the Australia international stands at 1.91 metres. He is viewed as the replacement for António Silva, and the clubs previously met in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1993/94.

Circati emerged as an alternative to Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the 24-year-old England international at Southampton. Benfica offered €20m, but Southampton would not go below €23.5m, the amount they paid Manchester City in 2024.

Harwood-Bellis was keen on a move to the Estádio da Luz, but Benfica withdrew and pursued other options. Southampton were also informed of Benfica's advances for Circati.

Circati, valued at €18m, made 33 appearances for Parma last season, 31 in the Italian league and two in the Coppa Italia. Across 2,831 minutes, he scored once.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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