Benfica line up bid for Roberto Soldado

Real Madrid striker targeted by Eagles coach Quique Flores

Reports are rife, both in Portugal and Spain, that Benfica are pondering a move for striker Roberto Soldado. The Real Madrid ace is unhappy with his lack of playing time, which totalled just 228 minutes in all competitions for the “Merengues” last season.

Benfica’s Spanish coach Quique Flores is very interested in taking the player on and sees him as a perfect alternative to Oscar Cardozo. Neither Flores nor Soldado were available for comment, but it is believed that Flores has requested the Lisbon club’s director of football, Rui Costa, to make enquiries about the player’s availability.

Benfica are trying to re-tool their team after a disappointing campaign which saw the Eagles trophy-less, finishing in fourth place in the table, 17 points behind champions FC Porto.

The Eagles made a similar attempt to land the player last summer, but the Spaniard opted to remain with Real Madrid, signing a long-term deal, after Bernd Schuster convinced the forward that he figured in his plans.

But having grown frustrated at being under utilized, Soldado is now seeking a move away from the 9-time European champions with Benfica being mooted as one of the destinations, although Getafe are also in the running for his signature.

It is estimated that the striker would cost the club in the region of 12m euros, although Flores and Benfica will be hoping to convince the Spanish giants to lower their asking price.