Summer Transfer Targets, Benfica Trio Edition

By: Greg | May 26th, 2008

I have already highlighted a handful of a few Portuguese league guys who I think are probably on their way out (one already went; Bosingwa to Chelsea) this summer. While those were the most probable, biggest and most reasonable names, that doesn’t mean that there still isn’t further talent in the league to be poached. Here’s a trio of Benficans who have been mentioned in the past or even more recently as transfer targets…

Luisão, Center Back, Benfica - After arriving from Brazilian side Cruzeiro in 2003, Luisão took some time finding himself at the club, but eventually cemented his place as a stalwart of the Benfica back line. At 6′ 4″ tall, he’s a definitive presence on both ends for set pieces. He’s not as broad as his height might suggest and he sometimes has trouble handling the ball that’s commonly associated with a higher center of gravity. His form has been slipping somewhat down the stretch this season and Benfica will probably be eager to cash in on him with the hopes that his best days are behind him. English side Portsmouthhave been calling for him the loudest thus far.
My Guess: Sol Campbell is apparently on his way out at Portsmouth and Luisão would make a decent replacement. Portsmouth are an exciting team on their way up, resoundingly stating their place in the English top flight by winning the FA Cup this past season. I see him going there for about 13 million Euros.

Oscar Cardozo, Striker, Benfica - There have been whispers that when the midseason transfer window opened, a few clubs inquired then. Cardozo has come out in the press and essentially said that he wants to stay but that if there’s an offer out there that he’ll examine it with his peoples. Benfica would be stupid to sell the 6′4.5″ striker who tallied twenty two goals in all competitions this year. I don’t think they can attract a similar player given their recent finishes and given the state of the market.
My Guess: He stays. But if he has ten goals in January and Benfica are fourth or fifth, he’s as good as gone.

Kostas Katsouranis, Midfielder, Benfica - After the on field incident between Katsouranis and Luisão, for which both men were suspended by the team, his demeanor and form haven’t been the same. He signed a two-year extension in the beginning of last season but I think he’s done with his time in a Benfica shirt. This is just one of those cases where one day he was looking like a long term player and then the next day he didn’t feel right any more.
My Guess: A number of top clubs asked about him a while back, as he’s a young (28), effective holding / defensive midfielder. He’ll probably land at a club that’s either at the top of the UEFA Cup qualifying or just barely in the Champions League. He’ll also probably prove a great value wherever he goes, costing no more than 12 million Euros. I can see him at a mid/upper table side in any of the big leagues, probably with the exception of England.

It’s Memorial Day here in the Untied States and I have a few brown and green bottles staring at me wondering why I haven’t held them tight yet. I will not let them down any further. Enjoy the rest of your day.