André Luiz ‘to choose’ Benfica as 23-year-old rejects rivals during January talks | OneFootball

Benfica continue to negotiate a deal for André Luiz, and the winger’s stance appears to favour the Lisbon club.

Record writes that the 23-year-old has assessed interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille, and told his agent and Rio Ave he only wants a January move to the Estádio da Luz. He is said to have rejected those proposals.

A club led by Evangelos Marinakis, who owns several teams including Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, is understood to have had the chance to secure more than 15 million euros. Even so, the player’s intention is clear, to represent Benfica, while the Luz hierarchy remain firm on Rio Ave’s demands.

Benfica also believe he would settle quickly in José Mourinho’s squad, helped by his long friendship with Richard Ríos. The Colombia international has known the winger since 2020, when both played for Flamengo’s under-20s.

This season André Luiz, valued at 4 million euros, has played 18 competitive matches for Rio Ave, 17 in Liga Portugal Betclic and one in the Taça de Portugal. Across 1,390 minutes he has seven goals and five assists, and his contract runs to June 2029.

Source: Glorioso 1904