Modric compatriot linked with Benfica again, could replace António Silva | OneFootball

Josip Sutalo has once again been linked with Benfica. The Croatian centre-back, a compatriot of Luka Modric, who plays for Ajax, is once again being associated with the Eagles at a time when Rui Costa is looking for a reinforcement for the heart of the defence following António Silva’s transfer to Bournemouth.

The information was reported by Dutch outlet VoetbalPrimeur, which states that signing a centre-back remains one of Benfica’s top priorities and that the replacement for the Portuguese international could even arrive next week.

According to the same publication, Sutalo is on Benfica’s list of players identified to fill the void left by António Silva’s departure, as Glorioso 1904 had already reported, in a process that is expected to speed up in the coming days after the club’s board held initial exploratory talks.

The aim is to invest part of the €25 million received from the sale of the Portuguese international — a figure that could rise to €30 million depending on bonuses — in signing a new defensive leader for Marco Silva’s back line. Although Jonathan Jesus continues to be mentioned as one of Benfica’s priorities, the club’s officials are keeping several options open, and Sutalo has now re-emerged as one of the alternatives on the table.

The 26-year-old Croatian international came through 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, Sutalo made 31 official appearances in the 2025/26 season and featured at the 2026 World Cup for Croatia, a side that was ultimately eliminated by Portugal in the round of 32.

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