Fulham ‘to demand’ €20m for Jorge Cuenca as Benfica look elsewhere | OneFootball

Benfica have cooled interest in Jorge Cuenca as they reshape the defence under Marco Silva for the new season.

According to A Bola, Fulham will only discuss a deal at around €20m, a price Benfica consider excessive for a player who was not a guaranteed starter in London.

Following Nicolás Otamendi's exit to River Plate at the end of his contract, Benfica intend to recruit two centre-backs this summer, and Cuenca had been on their list.

Over the last two seasons Cuenca played 34 times for Fulham, 12 in the first and 22 in the second, which weighed on Benfica's assessment. In this context Benfica did not open formal talks and have shifted focus to other options, while keeping the aim of securing reinforcements before the 2026/27 kick-off.

The need is amplified as Gonçalo Oliveira is very close to leaving for Stade Rennais, further trimming options. The board led by Rui Costa want to hand Silva two profiles, one experienced leader and one younger defender with room to grow.

Source: Glorioso 1904