Mário Branco ‘to prioritise’ centre-back as Benfica set profiles for summer | OneFootball

Benfica have begun shaping their summer recruitment list, with director-general Mário Branco aligned with the hierarchy and a new centre-back viewed as the priority. He is set to move to identify targets after Rui Costa defined the desired profiles.

Record writes that the plan extends beyond defence, with a transitional, box-to-box midfielder under consideration, capable of moving quickly between defence and attack.

The club are also assessing a specialist winger, anticipating the possible departure of Bruma, probably to the Middle East. That role was a persistent issue last season due to a lack of reliable options.

Further additions are likely to hinge on summer sales, with Benfica financially constrained after missing the Champions League following their failure to finish second in the league.

Immediate focus remains a centre-back, with Nicolás Otamendi preparing to leave after 30 June. With the Argentine set to depart and Tomás Araújo at the World Cup, the club want a dependable partner for António Silva.

Source: Glorioso 1904