Benfica in negotiation with Botafogo for Thiago Almada | OneFootball

Portuguese heavyweights Benfica are in talks to sign Thiago Almada from Botafogo, according to A Bola.

Almada was signed by Botafogo in July 2024 but spent the second half of last season on loan at sister club Olympique Lyon, also owned by Eagle Football Holdings Limited.

He recorded two goals and four assists in 16 matches across all competitions and Lyon are keen to sign Almada on a permanent deal.

However, the Ligue 1 outfit will now have to fend off competition from Benfica.

An asking price of around €40 million has been set for Almada’s services, although Benfica are currently unwilling to match that and are looking to lower that fee by including a player.

Gianluca Prestianni is the favourite to be sacrificed with the Benfica hierarchy reportedly keen to close the deal swiftly amid growing interest from other European clubs.

Almada’s stocks have risen significantly over the last couple of seasons, during which he has earned a World Cup winners’ medal, having represented Argentina back in 2022.

After falling short to Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal last time out, Benfica are expected to be fairly active in the transfer market.

As Aguias and Botafogo have a cordial business relationship off the back of recently conducting business for Arthur Cabral to join the Brazilian champions.

Both clubs are currently in action at the FIFA Club World Cup, and negotiations over a deal for Almada are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, the sides will be focused on securing maximum points in their final group-stage involvement, with Botafogo scheduled to take on Atletico Madrid on Monday evening, while Benfica will face off against Bayern Munich two days later.