Benfica prepare €100m Prestianni plan after major contract breakthrough
Gianluca Prestianni is set to put an end to speculation over his future by signing a new contract with Benfica.
Argentina international Prestianni has been watched by a string of leading European and Premier League sides recently, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Bayern Munich among those tracking the winger.
While reports from Argentina indicated that “a move this winter is not out of the question”, a firm response has come from Benfica, who are insistent that the 20-year-old will remain in Lisbon.
Speculation over Prestianni’s future has been fuelled by delays over the Portuguese side’s confirmation of a new contract, but president Manuel Rui Costa has assured fans that a deal is coming.
“We are set to close the agreement over a new deal for Gianluca Prestianni,” he announced.
Prestianni: An end to the contract delay in sight?
A Bola had reported on Thursday that contract talks were “at a standstill” because of a payment dispute. The player wanted a signing bonus immediately, but Benfica were asking to pay it only at the end of the season due to financial and accounting reasons.
It claimed that the fundamentals of Prestianni’s new deal have been agreed – his wages, a signing bonus and the length of the contract. The Portuguese source added that the “situation could be resolved at any moment”.
Crucially, Prestianni is said to have a strong relationship with Marco Silva, who has used him primarily off the left wing. He was previously deployed more often on the right or through the centre.
Silva’s tactical tweak is paying dividends. Prestianni has exploded this season, scoring seven goals and creating four more in only 11 Liga Portugal matches. He has had a direct hand in a goal every 84.7 minutes he has played in the league under the new head coach.
Benfica have also pointed out that Prestianni’s professional conduct this season has been “impeccable” after he accepted a six-match worldwide ban from FIFA after admitting to making a homophobic remark towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in a Champions League clash last season.
Benfica eyeing third €100m sale
In the long term, Prestianni’s future is likely to lie away from Benfica, but the Portuguese side wants to maximise his impact in the meantime.
Additionally, they also want to ensure they extract maximum value from him, potentially making him their third €100m-plus sale following Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez.
A new contract will not put the likes of Arsenal and Bayern off, but it may delay Prestianni’s inevitable move away.
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