Marco Silva has Lenglet at Benfica but still awaits another target | OneFootball

Benfica’s preparations for the new season continue to move forward in Seixal under the command of Marco Silva, with the squad undergoing important adjustments at the start of this new cycle. After the promises made by Rui Costa at the last general assembly, the Eagles are beginning to shape the working group, even if not every position has been settled yet.

Clément Lenglet is being tipped as Benfica’s chosen signing for the heart of the defence, fulfilling a long-standing wish of Marco Silva, who had already tracked him during his time at Fulham. The 31-year-old French international turned down financially more attractive offers, including from Saudi football, to move to the Luz, where he is expected to sign a three-season contract and take on a key role in Benfica’s defence.

The centre-back arrives from Atlético Madrid after two seasons in Spain, bringing with him a career marked by spells at top clubs such as Barcelona, Tottenham and Aston Villa. It was at the Catalan club where he achieved the greatest consistency, making more than 160 appearances before entering a period of heavier rotation and reduced prominence in recent years.

Last season, Lenglet lost ground at Atlético Madrid, where he was the fourth most-used centre-back, and he was also marked by a decisive error in the Champions League against the young Lamine Yamal, an episode that ended up influencing his international situation and keeping him away from major competitions. Even so, the defender still holds international status, with 16 caps for the French national team and experience on Europe’s biggest stages.

Despite the French centre-back’s imminent arrival, Benfica’s business in the market is not done yet. Marco Silva is still waiting for a winger, a position considered a priority by Benfica’s hierarchy, after Rui Costa assured that the squad would be strengthened with another player for the flanks. The board wants to balance the squad before the official start of the season, with several lines of work still open in Seixal.

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