Benfica target would rather join Hull City or Ipswich than sign | OneFootball

Benfica remain attentive to the market in search of a reinforcement for the heart of the defense, and Stepán Chaloupek is among the names highest on the Reds’ board’s shortlist. However, signing the Czech international is not expected to be easy, since the player is prioritizing a possible move to the Premier League.

According to Czech outlet iSport, besides Benfica, Hull City and Ipswich Town are also closely monitoring the situation of the 23-year-old defender, who is under contract with Slavia Prague. Even so, Rui Costa is preparing to submit an offer that could be around €12 million, in an attempt to convince the Czech club to negotiate.

Despite Benfica’s strong interest, Chaloupek’s preference for English football is leading the club to keep alternatives on the table. The plan is to quickly wrap up the search for a new center-back, especially given António Silva’s imminent departure in this summer transfer window.

The Czech international has attracted attention after a high-level season with Slavia Prague. A key figure in their title-winning campaign, the center-back recorded eight goals and two assists in 28 Czech league matches, numbers that earned him a call-up to the national team for the 2026 World Cup. In the tournament, he played one match, against South Korea.

The good relationship between Benfica and Slavia Prague could also work in the Eagles’ favor in negotiations. In recent years, the Reds signed Alexander Bah and David Jurásek from the Czech side, although the latter returned to his former club last January.

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