Unbelievable! Another surreal twist in Benfica-Tiago Gabriel talks | OneFootball

Benfica reportedly made an offer of around €20 million to Lecce to sign Tiago Gabriel. However, the Italian club is not willing to negotiate the centre-back for that amount. This demand from the “Salentini” made Rui Costa walk away.

According to the newspaper O JOGO, the Portuguese defender, only 21 years old, does have characteristics that are highly rated by Benfica’s officials, but the Eagles’ SAD considers the deal beyond their financial expectations.

Lecce set the player’s price at figures close to €25 million in order to agree to negotiations. Those amounts pushed Benfica away, even after another target, Famalicão’s Ibrahima Ba, took a different path instead of heading to Luz, moving to French side Strasbourg.

The player, whom the Italian club signed in January 2025 from Estrela da Amadora for €1.2 million, established himself in Serie A last season, making 39 appearances and scoring two goals. The player also came through Sporting’s youth ranks.

His height (1.96 metres), tackling ability and positioning attracted admirers in other circles, both in Italy and in other top-five leagues, causing Tiago Gabriel’s valuation to soar. He is currently valued at €15 million.

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