€30m Benfica defender attracting Liverpool and Chelsea interest

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Reports from Portugal have claimed that both Liverpool and Chelsea are keen on a Benfica defender before his release clause gets higher. Those additions join Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, who arrived last summer, creating a cluster of teenage and early‑20s defenders in the pipeline as Liverpool plan for life beyond Virgil van Dijk Now attention appears to be turning from the centre of defence to the right flank, with reports in Portugal claiming Liverpool are in the mix for Benfica’s highly rated full‑back Daniel Banjaqui.

Banjaqui, a 179cm right‑back born in March 2008, has already logged first‑team minutes for Benfica and is regarded as one of the brightest talents in their academy, combining recovery pace with the composure to step into midfield and join attacks. Benfica’s response has been predictable for a club that thrives on developing and selling at a premium.

The defender has already turned out three times for Benfica’s senior side, having been given his debut by José Mourinho in a Portuguese Cup tie away at Farense in December. Benfica Chelsea Daniel Banjaqui