Benfica are already thinking about life with Nelson Semedo as the Wolves captain prepares for a summer exit.
Semedo is one of several Wolves players out of contract in 2025, with a transfer rumoured to be in the works.
Despite Vitor Pereira’s wishes for Semedo to stay, it looks like the right-back will return to Benfica after eight years away from the club.
The Portugal international left his boyhood club to sign for Barcelona in 2017 and now, Bruno Lage’s side are confident they will lure the defender back to the Estadio da Luz.
Nelson Semedo to Benfica transfer discussed
Benfica want to recruit Semedo in the summer when the Wolves captain will be a free agent.
It’s a shame for the Old Gold to lose their captain for free however, it looks as though such scenario will play out.
Semedo wants to retire at Benfica, making a move all the more imaginable, with confidence regarding the transfer growing in Portugal.
Pereira’s captain was recently discussed by Record, with the publication’s executive director Sergio Krithinas sharing why he believes the right-back will be ‘perfect’ for Benfica.
“Nelson Semedo has a number of advantages,” he said.
“Experience, the fact that he is a player with maturity and leadership skills is also important. He can be captain, he can play on the left, which is very important.”
The journalist then went on to predict that the transfer is ‘going to happen’, backing Semedo to solve ‘specific problems’ for Lage.
“He can solve many specific problems and, therefore, I think it is a perfect marriage between Benfica and Semedo, and one from what I think is really going to happen.”
Semedo situation is unfortunate
Benfica have their heart set on the transfer, which is something Semedo could get behind given his strong ties to the club.
For Wolves, it’s an unfortunate but unavoidable situation, given that the Old Gold were reluctant to offer the 31-year-old a new deal.
Semedo’s high salary is thought to be one reason why Wolves haven’t pushed to offer their captain a contract extension, with the defender being one of the top earners in the squad.
Evidence would suggest that a return to Benfica is in sight for the Portugal international, who is yet to comment on the links.