Rodrigo Zalazar: Benfica's inaction leaves them behind in Braga star race | OneFootball

Benfica risk seeing Sporting gain an advantage in the negotiations for Rodrigo Zalazar. According to the information gathered, the Alvalade club is ready to move ahead with talks with Braga straight away, while the Eagles have made their interest known but told the Minho side that they are only expected to submit an offer once they close the Georgiy Sudakov file.

As reported by newspaper A Bola, the Lisbon derby is no longer only about the Champions League millions, but has also been playing out off the pitch. After Issa Doumbia and João Palhinha, another head-to-head between Benfica and Sporting is expected, this time for Zalazar. However, the Lions could gain the upper hand, given the Reds’ passivity.

As the sports daily explained, the Club of Light was the first to approach Braga, showing interest in the Uruguayan and even becoming aware of the Minho side’s financial demands. However, the same source explains that Benfica should only move to the negotiating table once the Sudakov case is resolved.

Given the lack of action on the part of their rival, Sporting may already have overtaken Benfica by being more assertive in their desire to sign the midfielder. A Bola reports that the Lions do not want to wait for Morten Hjulmand’s departure and are already looking to safeguard the captain’s exit, with him expected to leave Alvalade in the summer.

This season, playing for Braga, Rodrigo Zalazar — valued at €22 million — has already made 46 appearances: 27 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 15 in the Europa League, two in the Portuguese Cup and two in the League Cup. In the 3,286 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the midfielder has scored 23 goals and provided eight assists.

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