Marcos Leonardo ‘to be offered’ in Al Hilal swap that could derail Benfica’s Lucca plan | OneFootball

Benfica’s pursuit of Lorenzo Lucca this winter could be complicated, with Al Hilal exploring a swap involving Marcos Leonardo.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Saudi club have entered the race for the 25-year-old, on loan from Udinese to Napoli, and are weighing a direct exchange for Marcos Leonardo, sold by Benfica in September 2024 for about 40 million euros.

An indirect European return for Marcos Leonardo would suit Napoli. They do not plan to retain Lucca given two goals in 22 games and would allow his exit if they safeguard their investment.

Even so, any deal depends on activating a compulsory purchase clause of 26 million euros, on top of nine million already paid for the loan. That price point narrows Benfica’s room for manoeuvre beside Al Hilal’s financial muscle and readiness to act quickly.

Besiktas are also monitoring but are reliant on potential sales before moving. Benfica therefore face a race against time and heavyweight competition in a saga that, for now, appears to be drifting away from the Luz.

Source: Glorioso 1904