Benfica are reportedly set to spend after failing to sell Victor Lindelof to Manchester United during the January window.
But this, of course, is an investment for a bigger profit when the player leaves the club. The Eagles are giving Lindelof a new contract, with a bigger release clause, which has some immediate expenses for them, according to O Jogo.
Benfica are first compensating Vasteras, Lindelof’s old club, for a 20% share on a future sale that the Swedish side have the right to. They’re excluding this clause by agreeing to pay €3m now and €1m when the player gets sold.
The defender is also getting a pay raise. His salary of €200k per season is now going to €1m, which when including taxes goes to €2m. That’s why O Jogo’s headline says Benfica are spending €5m to keep him in Lisbon right now.
Manchester United are obviously mentioned in the article, as Benfica would be waiting for the club to make a new attempt next summer. His new release clause should be €60m, whether Jose Mourinho and Edward Woodward would agree to Benfica’s plans will be quite another matter.
