Mourinho makes new demand to Rui Costa, Benfica duo could be sacrificed | OneFootball

The season isn’t over yet, but José Mourinho is already starting to think about 2026/27. According to reports, the 63-year-old coach spoke with Rui Costa, where he made a very clear request to the President of Benfica: to sign a midfielder with characteristics similar to Fredrik Aursnes.

According to the newspaper O Jogo, the Special One intends to overhaul Benfica’s midfield, already looking ahead to the new season, in order to create better conditions for winning national titles.

The sports daily also reported that the names Enzo Barrenechea and Manu Silva may not be in Mourinho’s plans for 2026/27. O Jogo points out that the Argentine’s lack of consistency and the fact that the Portuguese midfielder is not in top physical shape are some of the reasons behind this possible decision.

The same source explains that Richard Ríos, who cost Benfica 27 million euros, will remain in the squad, since the management believes the Colombian still has much to offer. Thus, the plan is to let go of Barrenechea or Manu Silva, in favor of bringing in another midfielder similar to Aursnes, who is currently injured.

This season, wearing the Benfica shirt, Fredrik Aursnes - valued at 17 million euros - has already played 43 matches: 22 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 14 in the Champions League, four in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup, and one in the Super Cup.

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