Benfica to play waiting game for Cristian Rodriguez

Eagles want Uruguayan at reduced price

The deadline for Benfica to take up their option to purchase Uruguayan midfielder Cristian Rodriguez, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, expired this week without a deal being struck.

The Lisbon outfit are keen on keeping hold of the Uruguayan who has impressed in his debut season for the Eagles, but are unwilling to pay the 7m euros stipulated in the option.

Rui Costa, who will retire at the end of the season to become Benfica’s Director of Football, has let it be known that he sees Cristian Rodriguez very much as part of the club’s future.

Rodriguez, who put in another energetic display capped with a spectacular goal against Pacos de Ferreira last Sunday, has been guarded about his future, saying that is enjoying his time in the Lisbon capital but he is keeping his options open.

Rumours have also surfaced that bitter rivals FC Porto could swoop with an offer for the combative midfielder, although Rodriguez himself has suggested that if he were to stay in Portugal he would like to repay the faith Benfica have shown in him.

An intense series of negotiations is now expected to take place between Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira, and the group of agents who own the sporting rights of Rodriguez, led by Uruguayan businessman Paco Casal.

Cardozo ban confirmed

Meanwhile, UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee have confirmed that Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo will serve a three-match ban for elbowing Getafe defender Belengeur during the team’s Uefa Cup Round of 16 first-leg tie last month.

The Paraguayan international will miss Benfica’s next two games in Europe, having already sat out the return-leg in Madrid. The punishment did not end there for the club as UEFA also slapped Benfica with a fine of 6,372 euros for their fans having littered the field with debris during the first leg in Lisbon.

This is Benfica’s second run-in with UEFA’s disciplinarians after midfielder Augustin Binya was issued a six-match ban for a tackle on Celtic’s Scott Brown during the Champions League campaign earlier this season.


Related: Cristian Rodriguez PortuGOAL profile
Related: Binya hit with six-match ban