Schjelderup is renewing his contract with Benfica and prioritizing the World Cup.

Andreas Schjelderup unexpectedly halted the renewal process with Benfica, despite a multi-million offer that the club from Luz put on the table to secure him until 2031. The young Norwegian winger, just 19 years old, surprised officials, fans, and even teammates by refusing, for now, the new contract, leaving the Benfica community in suspense regarding his future.

Benfica, determined to keep one of the biggest prospects in their squad, presented him with a renewal offer that more than doubles the player’s current salary and extends his connection until the end of the decade. According to gathered information, Schjelderup chose not to proceed with the contract extension at this moment, claiming that he still has two years left on his deal with the Eagles. The Norwegian international is focused on the Under-20 World Cup, where he hopes to shine and increase his value in the international market. This stance from the winger is causing unease among the Benfica management, who fear the interest from several European clubs monitoring his situation.

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The refusal of Schjelderup to finalize his contract renewal gains even greater relevance in the context of the upcoming season, where Benfica aims to ensure stability and quality on the offensive flanks. The young Norwegian was a key player for Roger Schmidt and, despite experiencing fluctuations throughout the season, finished strongly, proving decisive in several matches of the championship. The fact that top clubs in Europe, particularly from the English and German leagues, are closely monitoring his development raises doubts about the Eagles’ intention to secure the player with a very high release clause. For Benfica, losing Schjelderup at this stage would be a severe blow, placing even more pressure on Rui Costa’s management to prevent another exodus of talent.

Schjelderup himself made a point of clarifying his position with the club and the Norwegian press, stating: “At this moment, I am fully focused on the World Cup and I want to help my national team go as far as possible. This is not the right time to think about contracts or money. I have two years left on my contract, so I don’t see any urgency.” This statement, made by the winger after a training session with the national team, reflects the player’s maturity and ambition, but raises legitimate doubts about his immediate future. Benfica, for its part, keeps the door open for negotiations, hoping that the player’s return to the club will allow conversations to resume and convince the Norwegian to commit long-term.

For Benfica’s management, the Schjelderup dossier thus becomes a priority in this transfer window. The refusal to renew can be interpreted as a sign that the player is open to listening to other offers, especially if his performance in the World Cup attracts investors willing to offer him not only better salary conditions but also the possibility of competing in the Champions League next season. Internally, the club’s SAD acknowledges that the main concern is to prevent the Norwegian from following the path of other talents who left Seixal too early, such as João Félix or Rúben Dias, weakening the sporting project in the medium term.

The future of Schjelderup at Benfica is, therefore, shrouded in uncertainty. Should the winger have a standout World Cup, it is expected that irresistible offers will arrive at the club from Luz — and the pressure on Rui Costa to secure the player’s continuity will be at its peak. On the other hand, if the Norwegian ends up accepting the renewal, Benfica will not only secure one of the greatest Nordic talents of the moment but also a valuable asset to pursue domestic titles and the desired regular presence in the Champions League. In the coming days, all eyes will be on Schjelderup, and the saga surrounding his future promises many more chapters, potentially making a decisive impact on the transfer market in Portugal this summer.

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