Deal done! Benfica lose target to the Premier League for €30m | OneFootball

The future of Lukas Hornicek is finally decided. The Czech goalkeeper, who was even linked with Benfica in this summer transfer window, is set to join Newcastle after the English club reached an agreement with Braga for a transfer worth €30 million, a figure matching the release clause of the 24-year-old keeper.

After being mentioned as a target for Benfica in recent weeks - even though Rui Costa never submitted an offer - , Hornicek is now heading to the Premier League, where he is expected as early as this Saturday to undergo medical tests and sign a contract valid for at least four seasons. Newcastle settled the payment details with Braga and secured one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation.

The transfer goes straight onto the list of the biggest sales in Braga’s history. The Minho club matches the €30 million recently received for Rodrigo Zalazar, trailing only the departures of Vitinha and Roger Fernandes, both completed for €32 million.

Hornicek’s departure had all but been sealed in recent days, which is why the keeper was not even included in the match squad against Zeleznicar Pancevo in the Conference League. Officially, the absence was explained as a technical decision, although the intention was to avoid any physical risk before the deal was completed.

With the transfer sealed, Braga have already identified Hornicek’s successor in goal. Brazilian Bernardo Fontes now takes over the spot left by the Czech international, while Newcastle secure a major addition for the new season and Benfica .

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