On Wednesday Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reported that Manchester City had been edging forward with their interest in Nelson Semedo.
Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira had been in Turin on Tuesday night watching the Juventus match, and Txiki Begiristain was said to have been there too. O Jogo reported that coincidence led to the two men opening outline talks over a Semedo transfer.
That all fit neatly in with claims Txiki was in Turin on Tuesday having another look at Juventus’ Alex Sandro.
The problem is, that meeting is said to have been in Barcelona: ‘Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica, accompanied by Jorge Mendes, the all-powerful representative, landed Tuesday in Barcelona. A fleeting trip, of little more than 24 hours, and with an agenda of the most intense. The chief of the Portuguese team had two clear objectives to fulfil in Barcelona: a dinner with representatives of Manchester City and a second meeting 
with members of the technical management of FC Barcelona.’
Time travelling may have been used, or the claims could be wide of the mark.
Of course it’s possible to hold meetings in Turin and Barcelona on the same, but usually not with the same people.
Interestingly, Mundo Deportivo report on Friday that Barcelona aren’t interested in Semedo, and feel rumours suggesting they do want him are a ploy to increase the player’s market value.
Manchester City are one of several top clubs looking for a right back, which should give Benfica hope of selling their asset.
