Attention! Benfica's next signing left out of Ajax win (2-0) | OneFootball

Josip Sutalo is once again being linked with Benfica at a time when Rui Costa is looking for a reinforcement for the heart of the defence. The possible move of the Croatian centre-back to the Luz is gaining momentum after a recent development involving Ajax.

The 26-year-old defender was left out of the Amsterdam club’s 2-0 win over Zwolle on the opening matchday of the Eredivisie. The absence only added further fuel to the rumours surrounding the Croatian international’s future.

The visitors only found the net with a numerical advantage, following the sending-off of Sherel Floranus (57'). Jorthy Mokio (76') opened the scoring with an excellent finish from a central area, after Tolu Arokodare did the groundwork with his back to goal, and Julian Brandt (90'+5) combined with Mika Godts for the second.

Although Jonathan Jesus has been named as one of Benfica’s priorities, the Eagles’ decision-makers are keeping several files open, and Sutalo has now re-emerged as one of the alternatives on the table.

Josip Sutalo came through the ranks at Dinamo Zagreb and moved to Ajax in the summer of 2023, in a deal that earned the Croatian club €20.5 million. Under contract until 2028, the centre-back made 31 official appearances in the 2025/26 season and also featured for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, where the national team was eventually knocked out by Portugal in the round of 64.

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