The double transfer between Benfica and Manchester City was finally completed yesterday, when Nicolas Otamendi was presented by the Eagles and Ruben Dias signed for the Premier League side.
The Portuguese press has been following both situations very closely, and highlights today the most interesting takes from each move.
Otamendi spoke to local outlets on Tuesday evening, and said that a couple of Manchester City players helped to convinced him to join the Lisbon club.
“Bernardo Silva told me I was going to the best club in the world,” claimed the Argentine defender, claiming João Cancelo “said the same”.
Otamendi’s presentation was delayed for over three hours yesterday. Newspaper Record says the deal was never at risk, and it took so long because it had to be signed by six parties, which were the two clubs, the two players and the two agents.
Regarding the departure of Ruben Dias, Record highlights some interesting quotes from Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira in which he insists that the defender is moving to a smaller club, despite Manchester City’s financial power.
“Jorge [Jesus] said something that is true. You do not leave for a club bigger than the one you’re leaving. Benfica are much bigger than Manchester City, it has other values that Manchester City don’t have. Unfortunately, Benfica don’t reach the height of these sharks. It’d be good if we did. Maybe today we’d be leading Europe,” Luis Filipe Vieira told the player.
In front of the squad, Jorge Jesus said: “His future is going to be bright. We all believe it will be brilliant. The life of a football player is a bit like that. Jumps from a big club, bigger than City. It just isn’t bigger financially and that makes the difference. Now the rest will be up to you.”
