Last summer, Benfica signed Zeki Amdouni from Burnley on loan with an option to buy set at €18m.
Bruno Lage has used the Burnley owned player across multiple positions, mainly in attack. He played 1,241 minutes from 41 games in all competitions, managing eight goals and three assists in the process.
Earlier this month, we covered claims from Portugal that the Eagles still haven’t decide whether to exercise the purchase clause.
Saturday’s edition of A Bola has a report on the forward and their title says ‘Amdouni closer to returning to Burnley’.
Within the report, they state Benfica haven’t made the final decision, but the possibility of not keeping him is gaining more strength.
The Primeira Liga side’s scouts monitored him for a long time, even before he joined Burnley in 2023. They were able to sign him on loan [with €2m loan fee] last summer.
A Bola state the Switzerland international hasn’t met expectations and didn’t manage to hold on to one specific position. Amdouni has a goal and an assist in this calendar year.
In addition to this, he lost prominence after Burma and Andrea Belotti arrived in January. These are reasons why Benfica wouldn’t be exercising the €18m purchase option.
It could be a tactic from Benfica to try and lower the price for the versatile player. If that’s the case, it’s thought they will fail because the Clarets are firm with their stance. The report states Burnley aren’t willing to negotiate the purchase clause.
In short, Burnley’s refusal to renegotiate and Benfica’s reluctance to pay €18m could result in Amdouni’s return to Turd Moor. He could stay next season considering the English club will be in the Premier League.
