Rui Costa mocks Sporting fee for Zalazar: no interest to Benfica | OneFootball

Rui Costa commented on Rodrigo Zalazar's transfer to Sporting and assured that Benfica was never willing to move forward at the figures involved in the deal. The Benfica president addressed the issue during a press conference aimed at clarifying various matters related to planning for the new season for the fans.

The Uruguayan midfielder was said to be one of the players being monitored by Benfica, but he ended up joining Sporting, who secured his signing from Braga. Asked about the Eagles' interest, Rui Costa ruled out any scenario of a direct battle with the Lions.

"He was not a player who, at those figures, interested Benfica", said the official, making it clear that Benfica never moved forward with formal negotiations with the Minho club for the signing of the player, who in 2026/27 will represent the Lions.

The statements come just a few days after Zalazar was officially announced as a Sporting signing. The Uruguayan international is one of the players in whom Rui Borges has high expectations for the new season, at a time when the Lions are carrying out a major overhaul of their midfield.

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