Benfica close to sealing Alvaro Pereira

Cluj in Lisbon negotiating full-back

Benfica are close to capturing left-back Alvaro Pereira from CFR Cluj. Representatives from the Romanian club are curretnly in Lisbon hammering out a deal for the Uruguayan international with the Portuguese giants.

Delegates from Cluj arrived in the Portuguese capital yesterday, including club president Iuliu Muresan, to discuss the possibility of selling Pereira to Benfica. Cluj are interested in selling their top asset to help balance the books and are believed to be asking for 5 million euros for the defender.

No one from either party has been available for comment, but the player himself is excited that the two clubs are sitting at the table haggling his transfer.

"If everything becomes finalised I will be delighted to play for such an important team," said the jubilant Uruguayan. "Benfica are one of the great teams in Europe due to their history and the number of supporters they have."

"Each competition that Benfica particpates in is to be won. It would be very good for me to play at Benfica."

Gomis under watch

According to Portuguese daily Record, Benfica are keeping tabs on Saint-Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis. The Ligue 1 side are hovering just above the relegation zone and the Eagles hope to nab the French international on the cheap.

Gomis has been rumoured to leave Les Verts and Benfica are in the market for a striker as David Suazo does not appear to be making a return next season, Nuno Gomes is getting on in age and is no longer the player he once was, Mantorras has not earned the coach's confidence and Oscar Cardozo is rumoured to be sold at season's end in an attempt to balance the books.  

Gomis has not had a productive season as the striker has only grabbed 8 goals in league play, compared with the 16 tallied a year ago. But the 23-year-old is considered one of the more promising players coming out of France.

by Marco Pereira