Have Benfica found their new star striker?
A failure to replace PSG-bound Gonçalo Ramos was potentially Benfica’s fatal mistake last season, with summer signing Arthur Cabral unable to hit the heights many were hoping for.
As such, Benfica are in the mood to recruit a proven goalscorer this transfer window, and the man they are turning to - who scored a stunning 29 league goals in 34 appearances last campaign - is Vangelis Pavlidis.
The Greek international enjoyed a phenomenal season in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, starting every single Eredivisie and Europa Conference League game as AZ secured a 4th place finish in the league, ending the campaign one place and 9 points above Ajax.
Pavlidis was central to AZ’s achievements - finishing top scorer alongside title-winning Luuk de Jong, the 25-year old proved a constant menace in attack with his movement and ball control, as well as offering something of an aerial threat too.
With age on his side and a track record of scoring goals wherever he has been, there is real optimism that he could be an upgrade on Cabral, who managed just 6 Primeira Liga goals for Benfica last term.
As such, Benfica have moved quickly to pull ahead in the race to sign Pavlidis, who has also been linked with a move to Red Star Belgrade, and are closing in on a deal to secure the signature of the 38-time senior international for the sum of just 18 million euros, which seems impressive value for money for a proven goalscorer who was plying his trade in a highly reputable league.
