Benfica now keen on Aston Villa youngster – Would be intriguing transfer

Enzo Barrenechea’s list of suitors this summer could include Benfica, as he looks set to leave Aston Villa.

That’s according to Mais Futebol, who report that the Aston Villa midfielder has been added to Benfica’s shortlist of options to strengthen their midfield.

They report that the Aston Villa man, who has returned from a loan spell at Valencia this summer, is popular at the Portuguese club.

He is highly regarded by those in charge at Benfica and on his way to becoming a potential target this summer. That would likely be dependent on departures, though, specifically that of midfielder Florentino Luis.

If he goes then Barrenechea would be an ideal replacement and there is a deal there to be done. Mais Futebol say Aston Villa are open to selling the midfielder this summer. That has been reported elsewhere, particularly with Valencia trying to get him back to the Mestalla.

For now, he appears to be nothing more than an option on Benfica’s list but if the market starts to move around Florentino Luis, it seems that could change quickly.

Such a move would certainly be intriguing, given Benfica’s great history of getting the best out of South Americans. One of those in recent years is Enzo Fernández, who impressed so much in Lisbon that Chelsea broke a multitude of transfer records to sign him.