Nelson Semedo moves closer to Barça as Benfica sign replacement
Benfica signed Pinto from Vitoria de Guimaraes on Monday as a replacement for Semedo, who could move to Barcelona if they don't land Bellerín.
Alex Pinto, socio number 30,873 of Benfica and, until today, a Vitoria de Guimeraes player, has joined the club of which he is a member.
Pinto joins Benfica to replace Nelson Semedo
Ordinarily, this would be unremarkable news, but Pinto arrives as the replacement for Nelson Semedo, the right-back who is subject to close attention from Barcelona and Manchester United.
For Barça, the player is a ‘plan B’ if they do not manage to prize Héctor Bellerín away from Arsenal. ‘The Gunners’ have set a price of €40m for the Barcelona academy product, and are unwilling to negotiate.
Meanwhile, reports in Portugal have made it clear that Semedo will not leave for less than €50m, an exorbitant figure.
Jorge Mendes confident that Semedo will move
Be that as it may, Pinto arrives in Lisbon in the knowledge that he faces the complicated task of replacing Semedo, who is a fan-favourite at the Stadium of Light.
Jorge Mendes, Semedo’s agent, is certain that his client will move this summer, and sources close to the president of Benfica have indicated that Barcelona are best placed to secure his signature.
