It is not unusual to see a level of disinvestment in relation to the playing squad every summer among Portugal’s major clubs, but this close season could see an unprecedented amount of top talent leave the Liga NOS.

Last night news broke that FC Porto and Portugal centre-forward André Silva was in Italy preparing to take his medical ahead of a €40m move to AC Milan. Just 24 hours earlier, Manchester United had announced that agreement had been reached with Benfica for the purchase of centre-back Victor Lindelöf from the Lisbon giants.

The two departures come on the back of the sales of Benfica goalkeeper Ederson to Manchester City, and Sporting centre-back Rúben Semedo to Villarreal.

Sérgio Conceição was this afternoon presented as the new coach of FC Porto. The former Portugal winger signed a two-year contract after extricating himself from a contract renewal he had signed at Nantes just weeks ago.

He replaces Nuno Espírito Santo, who left at the end of the season after failing to end the club’s 4-year trophy drought.

“It’s with enormous joy and love for the club that I’ve come here,” said Conceição. “I’m sure in May I’ll be happy, and Porto supporters too.”

In a ceremony last week, Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira received an honour from the Lisbon borough where he was born, São Domingos de Benfica, which is also the home of the club he has presided over for 15 years.

An emotional Vieira had to interrupt his acceptance speech several times as he wept when remembering his parents. Amid the headlines focusing on his tears, a significant statement got lost in the mix. “Benfica’s leaders realise running this club is a question of cycles. We will now discuss whether we will continue to invest, or whether we will drastically reduce the liabilities. I’m not talking about completely wiping off the debt [reported to be upward of €400m] but paying off a considerable amount of it.”

This would seem to be laying the ground for more big-money sales. With goalkeeper Ederson already rumoured to be on his way out the club, Benfica have no shortage of monied suitors for other talented players in their squad. PortuGOAL lists six enticing transfer targets from the 2016/17 double winners.

Benfica 2-1 Vitória de Guimarães

Two goals in quick succession shortly after half time by Raul Jiménez and Salvio saw Benfica beat Vitória de Guimarães 2-1 to lift the Portuguese Cup and complete the double in 2016/17.

After a fiercely fought and even first 45 minutes, Benfica put in a strong second-half performance that proved too much for Vitória, despite Zungu pulling a goal back and a valiant effort by the northerners.