Otamendi to move in opposite direction
Benfica have agreed a deal to sell defender Ruben Dias to Manchester City for 68 million euros ($79.2m) with Nicolas Otamendi moving in the opposite direction in a separate deal for 15 million euros, the Portuguese giants have announced.
In a statement late on Sunday, Benfica said that the deal for Dias would also see City pay an extra 3.6 million euros in potential bonuses.
“The agreement is dependent on the player agreeing a contract with Manchester City,” the Lisbon club said.
Dias, 23, is a product of Benfica’s renowned academy and has been capped 19 times by Portugal. He scored Benfica’s opening goal in a 2-0 win over Moreirense at the weekend in the Portuguese league.
City boss Pep Guardiola will see him as the missing piece in his defensive jigsaw, with the need for reinforcements accentuated by Sunday’s shock 5-2 home defeat by Leicester City.
Otamendi, 32, has not been used by Guardiola in either of City’s Premier League games so far this season. The Argentine international has spent five years in England and has previously played in Portugal, turning out for Benfica’s bitter rivals Porto between 2010 and 2014.
His move is still subject to a medical, Benfica said.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said at the weekend that selling Dias was necessary for the club to balance their accounts after a defeat by Greek side PAOK in the third qualifying round of the Champions League ended their hopes of reaching the group stage.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi Arabia formally launches bid for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday,...
By AFP