Rodrigo Zalazar: inaction leaves Benfica behind in race for Braga star | OneFootball

Benfica risk seeing Sporting gain the upper hand in negotiations for Rodrigo Zalazar. It has been learned that the Alvalade club is ready to move forward with talks with Braga immediately, while the Eagles have made their interest known but informed the Minho side that they are only expected to submit an offer once they close the Georgiy Sudakov file.

According to the newspaper A Bola, the Lisbon derby is no longer only about the Champions League millions, but has also been playing out off the pitch. After Issa Doumbia and João Palhinha, another head-to-head between Benfica and Sporting over Zalazar is expected. However, the Lions may gain an advantage, given the Eagles’ passivity.

As the sports daily explained, the Club of Light was the first to approach Braga, showing interest in the Uruguayan and even becoming aware of the Minho side’s financial demands. However, the same source explains that Benfica should only come to the negotiating table once they resolve the Sudakov case.

Given the lack of action from their rival, Sporting may already have overtaken Benfica, appearing more decisive in their desire to sign the midfielder. A Bola reports that the Lions do not want to wait for Morten Hjulmand’s departure and are already looking to safeguard the captain’s exit, as he is expected to leave Alvalade in the summer.

This season, playing for Braga, Rodrigo Zalazar — valued at €22 million — has already made 46 appearances: 27 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, 15 in the Europa League, two in the Portuguese Cup and two in the League Cup. In the 3,286 minutes he has been on the pitch, the midfielder has scored 23 goals and provided eight assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.