Rui Costa sits alongside Kyle Krause amid Benfica interest in Circati | OneFootball

The Casa Pia v Benfica match in Rio Maior may have had added significance off the pitch. Benfica president Rui Costa sat alongside Kyle Krause, the American who now holds a majority stake in Casa Pia and also owns Parma, the club of Alessandro Circati.

According to Glorioso 1904, hours after the game reports emerged that Benfica are in advanced talks for the Australian centre-back. The conversation in the stands could have touched on the 22-year-old’s future.

Circati is one of the targets identified to reinforce the defence, a priority position for Marco Silva. Benfica are seeking alternatives to Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with that pursuit complicated by Southampton’s financial demands.

He is valued at about €18m, while Southampton want roughly €30m for Harwood-Bellis.

The defender was born in Australia, also holds Italian nationality and plays for the Socceroos. At the last World Cup he started all four matches, impressing for Australia.

The sight of Krause next to Rui Costa now carries added meaning. Benfica may have used the occasion to move closer on Circati.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”