Benfica to swap Leo for Gilberto?

Karyaka offloaded back to Russia

Benfica left-back Leo is entangled in contract negotiations and appears to have come to an impasse with the club over an extension. The news has further fuelled speculation that the Eagles are ready to make a bid for Brazil’s current left-back, Gilberto.

Leo’s contract ends at the end of the current season and the player has admitted he has laid out his conditions to the club and it is now up to Benfica to decide what they would like to do.

“What I can say is that I have spoken with the board and have explained my position. Now it is with them,” explained Leo. “I like it here, I would like to stay, but I have explained my situation.”

If things should fall through between the player and club, Leo is not short of admirers as Fluminense are rumoured to be heavily interested in the diminutive Brazilian. And Leo made it clear that if he does not extend with the Lisbon club, he would not switch allegiances to any other club in Portugal.

“I adore the club and I do not envision myself with any other club in Portugal. I am not interested in that. I have made a lot of sacrifices to remain with Benfica. You cannot imagine the efforts I have made. I do not want to leave, but football is football.”

Gilberto interest

With the protracted contract negotiations having reached a standstill, news has surfaced in Germany that the Lisbon club may be in the market for Hertha Berlin’s left-back Gilberto, although the player himself says he is in the dark about any move to Portugal.

“I don’t know of anything about it,” admitted the 31-year-old. “I found out about the story in Bild through a friend who called me, but I still have not spoken to my agent.”

Gilberto is currently also wrangling over a new contract with the Bundesliga club. “I am hoping to solve my situation by the winter break. I have received an offer to renew, but I did not accept it and I made a counter-offer. Now I will wait for the club’s response, as in line with FIFA’s statutes, I cannot speak with another club until December.”

It is expected that Gilberto will leave after seeing his profile considerably raised by regular call-ups to the Brazil national team. The possibility of a move to Benfica may explain why the Eagles are stalling over signing the 35-year-old Leo to a contract extension.

Karyaka says goodbye

Benfica have finally brokered a deal to offload forward Andrei Karyaka back to Saturn FC in his native Russia. The move has been made permanent after the player had been on loan at the Russian club since last December.

Part of the deal sees the Eagles get their pick of Saturn’s players coming through the club’s youth and senior ranks. In exchange, Benfica will aid the Russian side in scouting and prospecting for players in Latin and South America.

Two friendlies will also be played, one in each stadium. As for the 29-year-old himself, Karyaka could not be happier that the deal is done. “I am very happy that I will continue my career with Saturn.”