Liverpool still keen on Benfica ace
Nolito remains on Liverpool's radar but his agent insists there has been no concrete offers for the Benfica ace.
The 25-year-old joined from Barcelona last summer and has impressed during his first season in Portugal.
The forward has scored 11 goals in 29 league appearances and added another three strikes during Benfica's march to the Champions League quarter finals.
His impressive form has alerted a string of clubs across Europe and Liverpool are reportedly among them.
Chelsea and Everton target told he can leave Benfica
Chelsea and Everton target Oscar Cardozo has been told he can leave Benfica, according to reports in Portugal.
The striker has scored more than 100 goals for Benfica since joining the club five years ago, but the Paraguayan has allegedly been told he is free to leave as they look to cut their wage bill.
City set to beat United to Gaitan signature
Manchester City are set to beat rivals Manchester United to the signature of Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan in the summer by flexing their financial muscle. Argentine star Gaitan has a release clause written into his contract and City are hoping to land him in the summer by simply meeting Benfica’s asking price, reported to be around the £35m mark, instead of entering into a bidding war with United for his services.
Gaitan is set to leave Benfica in the summer and his destination could well be decided by which one of the two Manchester giants win the Premier League this season.
Benfica 2-1 Leixoes
Game : Benfica vs Leixoes
Competition : Portuguese Liga
Final score : Benfica 2-1 Leixoes ( Elvis OG 16′, Nuno Gomes 67′/ Rodrigo Silva 74′)
In Friday’s only Portuguese Liga game, 10 man Benfica beat Leixoes to reduce FC Porto’s lead at the top of the league to one point.
An Elvis own goal gave Benfica the lead in the 16th minute. The Leixoes player put Jose Antonio Reyes’ cross past his own keeper to put Benfica 1-0 up. Striker Nuno Gomes, a second half substitute for Reyes, doubled Benfica’s lead when he sent the ball in at the far post from Cardozo’s cross.
Carlos Martins, himself a first half substitute for Ruben Amorim, was forced off the field after a challenge with Hugo Morais. It reduced Benfica to 10 men as they had used up all their substitutions, and Leixoes immediately took advantage as Silva pulled one back for them in the 74th minute.
Leixoes, who would have gone above Benfica had they won, applied tremendous pressure in the final minutes, but Benfica held on to win 2-1.
Leaders Porto take on Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.