According to Portuguese outlet ‘Record’, Benfica stopper Bruno Varela is one of Rafa Benitez ‘top targets’ this summer – news we find a little hard to believe given the signing of another goalkeeper should be the least of our worries.
Varela – who stands 6ft 3′ tall – has played at every youth level for his country from U-16 up to U-21 and also represented Portugal at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
He’s since consolidated his place as Benfica’s number one – which is quite impressive at the age of 23 – and has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks.
Rafa has actually been linked with a move several goalkeepers since the signing of Martin Dubravka was confirmed – suggesting he may want someone else in to compete with the Slovakian – however I’m struggling to see why signing another would be one of his ‘top targets’.
I also find it hard to believe that a highly-rated Portuguese international (who’s currently Benfica’s number one) would sign to play second fiddle to Martin Dubravka.
We shall see, but as ever with these stories from Portugal, this is a bit of an odd one that’s probably best take with a pinch of salt.
Just incase there’s any truth in this one, here’s some clips of him in action:
