Benfica prepares move for Ivanovic

With Richard Ríos officially signed, Benfica is now focusing on bolstering their attack. João Félix remains their primary target, but he isn't their only option.

The Eagles have other names on their shortlist, and a formal bid for Franjo Ivanovic could be imminent.

On June 17th, A BOLA reported that Benfica had strong interest in the young St. Gilloise forward, although the price tag posed a potential obstacle.

Now, with the Ríos deal finalized and João Félix seemingly closer, albeit requiring significant effort, Benfica's management is also exploring a move for Ivanovic.

As with their other targets, the Eagles want to ensure any bid translates into a successful signing. They are carefully considering the timing and approach to maximize their chances.

This mirrors their strategy with Richard Ríos, who was close to joining Roma before Benfica seized the opportunity, with Rui Pedro Braz's trip to Brazil proving decisive in closing the deal over the weekend.

The plan now is the same: Benfica is assessing the conditions for signing Franjo Ivanovic and evaluating the likelihood of success. It's worth noting that the Belgian press reported St. Gilloise rejected a €20 million offer from Italian side Como.

To secure the Croatian international, Benfica may need to exceed that figure and/or offer a percentage of any future transfer fee. Given Ivanovic is only 21, his potential for further development at Benfica is promising.

As previously reported by A BOLA, Sporting also has strong interest in the player. He was even considered a potential replacement for Viktor Gyökeres.

However, Sporting ultimately opted for Luis Suárez, currently under negotiation with Almeria.

Benfica is seeking an alternative to Vangelis Pavlidis, particularly as they finalize the sale of Casper Tengstedt to Feyenoord for €6 million, plus €1 million in bonuses and a 15% sell-on clause. With the Dane's departure, only one other attacking option remains besides the Greek striker: 23-year-old Henrique Araújo, returning from a loan spell at Arouca where he scored 7 goals in 26 appearances.