According to the reports from Sempre Milan, Manchester City have been linked with a move for Benfica’s midfielder Florentino Luis. However, Serie A heavyweights AC Milan have already started to make their move for the midfielder as the club’s hierarchy met the player’s agent.
Manchester United’s name has also been mentioned as one of the interested parties. It is believed that Benfica have kept his release clause at €100m and the Portuguese heavyweights rate him highly. Manchester City have been linked with him in the past as well.
The 20-year-old is a defensive midfielder by trade and given that City could end up losing some of their experienced midfielders soon, they might need cover in the middle. David Silva is set to part ways in the summer and Fernandinho isn’t going to be around for long. Florentino is likely being seen as someone who can fill in for Fernandinho.
The Premier League holders spent the big bucks to sign Rodri last summer. However, they would need more depth in defensive midfield once Fernandinho departs. Florentino has played for Portugal at various youth levels, and many are seeing him as a future international. The midfielder has made 13 appearances for Benfica in all competitions this season.
What can Florentino offer?
Florentino is touted to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world in a few years. He is known for his ability to break down play, and he is an aggressive player in the middle, not being afraid to commit himself into challenges. His defensive awareness and reading of the game stand out. He also has the energy and stamina to keep playing at full tilt throughout the 90 minutes.
The 20-year-old has decent passing skills and pace, and the midfielder can form a good base of attack. The Portuguese is definitely worth monitoring. However, we believe that City are unlikely to go after him in this window and he could be seen as a signing for the future. Florentino is undoubtedly not worth €100m yet which is his release clause. It remains to be seen what kind of transfer fee Benfica might demand for the midfielder.
Should City go for him?
The 20-year-old is still trying to establish himself in the Benfica team, so he is yet not a finished article. At City, he could be an understudy to Rodri, to begin with, and maybe with a bit more experience, he can show his true capability. Florentino is worth going after but only if Benfica value him fairly. It remains to be seen though whether the midfielder would be at Benfica until the summer as AC Milan are interested in getting him in this window.
