Estudiantes’ Benjamin Rollheiser is set to complete a move to Benfica amid interest from Premier League trio Newcastle, Sheffield United and Burnley.
That is according to Carlos Espinoza, the winger’s agent.
Benjamin Rollheiser has been likened to one Lionel Messi due to his penchant for cutting in from the right onto his left boot, though perhaps a more fitting comparison would be Angel di Maria.
Di Maria returned for a second spell at Benfica last term. But, at the age of 35, the Portuguese giants are hoping to replace their Rolls Royce wideman with a younger model, Rollheiser 12 years Di Maria’s junior.
Newcastle and Burnley target heading to Benfica
Newcastle, Burnley and Sheffield United have all cast admiring glances in Rollheiser’s direction over the past few months.
Espinoza, however, appears to be snuffing out any flickering hopes on the part of the Premier League trio, with Benfica again snapping up one of the brightest talents in the South American market.
“We are closing with Benfica,” Espinoza tells Globo Esporte.
Rollheiser scored 12 goals and set up eight more in the 2023 Argentinian campaign for Estudiantes. Interestingly, he is the second left-footed Argentine winger to be linked with Newcastle of late, The Magpies reportedly holding talks with Juventus chief Cristiano Guintoli about Matias Soule, so impressive out on loan at Frosinone.
Soule, however, expects to still be a Frosinone player by February.
Newcastle appear to want a new winger
Rollheiser, diminutive and tricky, also had the option to stay on the other side of the Atlantic with Corinthians. The Brazilian giants are reluctantly accepting defeat, however, with Benfica entering the final stages.
“I called Benfica. I’ve got good contacts with Rui (Costa Benfica director),” explains Rubens Gomes of Corinthians. “I asked if they were negotiating for Benjamín and he said ‘yes’.
Benfica are expected to pay around £8 million for Rollheiser.
The post Agent confirms £8m ace won't join Newcastle or Burnley amid Messi comparison appeared first on HITC.
from HITC https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2024/01/02/agent-confirms-8m-ace-wont-join-newcastle-or-burnley-amid-messi-comparison/
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