André Luiz, Rio Ave winger, 23 years old, one of Benfica’s first known targets for this winter market window, is the hot topic of the Reds’ visit to Vila do Conde, this Saturday, to face Rio Ave, in a League game.
The player is desired, but it is expensive, as Evangelos Marinakis, an investor in Rio Ave, an old football fox who also manages Olympiakos, in Greece, and Nottingham Forest, in England, does not make his position at all flexible, clinging to the €20 million release clause.
Benfica, however, maintains interest in the player and it remains the shirt that the Brazilian would like to wear in the second part of the season. Also counting on this asset, the reds believe they can resolve a complicated process.
This Saturday, Rio Ave and Benfica face each other and André Luiz, naturally, will be in the center of attention, with the guarantee that the top brass of the two teams will be together. The clubs, it should also be noted, have also maintained close relationships for many years.
André Luiz, however, is not just desired. The Brazilian is also feared. In the Luz game, even without the right to start, he had time to make life difficult for Benfica, coming on and scoring the equalizer at the last minute.
There will therefore be increased attention from the Reds: first, to the business, then, on the part of Mourinho and players, to the opponent, to the strong and fast winger capable of destroying defensive systems and who is in great shape.
