Benfica evaluates departures of Tomás Araújo and Pavlidis for 50 million.

In the heart of Luz, a silent battle is brewing for the future of Benfica, where Tomás Araújo and Pavlidis stand out as the most coveted and non-negotiable jewels of the squad. With eyes set on the 2026/27 season, the club’s SAD has established an unbreakable red line: any offer that does not reach 50 million euros will be automatically rejected. This strategy reveals a clear commitment to stability, with Marco Silva, the new captain of the team, advocating for a policy of continuity and strengthening the team’s foundation for new challenges.

Central defender Tomás Araújo, already on the radar of European giants such as Bayern Munich, is a key piece for the future of Benfica. Despite reported interest from the German press, suggesting a potential replacement contingent upon the departure of Kim Min-Jae or Hiroki Ito, Luz is not willing to make concessions. The young Portuguese international, who is part of Roberto Martínez’s list for the World Cup, remains one of the club’s defensive pillars, alongside António Silva, whose future depends on the renewal of his contract. Meanwhile, the SAD is looking to strengthen the defensive axis, evaluating young talents such as Gonçalo Oliveira, Rui Silva, and Joshua Wynder to fill the gap left by Otamendi.

Pavlidis, the forward who has already scored 60 goals in just two seasons wearing the Benfica shirt, is also a target of interest, particularly from Besiktas, which is reported to have made an offer in the region of 20 million euros, plus add-ons. However, this offer fell short of internal expectations and did not even reach the knowledge of president Rui Costa, who maintains a minimum threshold of 50 million as a condition for any negotiation. The Greek player, like Tomás Araújo, is part of the coach’s plans for the start of the next season, reinforcing the clear message from the club’s board: departures will only occur in response to irresistible proposals.

In the midst of a transfer market that is not expected to truly heat up until after the World Cup, Benfica positions itself as a fortress in defending its most valuable assets. The financial balance achieved in the season that is now ending eliminates the need for significant sales, allowing the club to focus on building a solid and competitive squad for 2026/27. The decision is unequivocal: the future at Luz involves preserving talent and demanding maximum return for any departures, thereby ensuring that Tomás Araújo and Pavlidis continue to be symbols of an ambition that does not accept concessions.

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