Benfica's Alfa Semedo on track for English Championship

Benfica midfielder Alfa Semedo is set for a loan move to the English Championship.

Semedo, 21, had a disappointing loan spell at Espanyol last season, joining the Spanish side in January but only making 3 appearances in La Liga.

He also made a handful of appearances for Benfica last season too, and showed glimpses of his power and confidence in the middle of the park.

Benfica fans will remember him best for the tremendous goal he scored against AEK Athens in the Champions League, which ultimately gave 10-man Benfica a late 3-2 victory over the then Greek champions.

He only came on for the final 28 minutes of that game, but his low long-range strike in the 74th minute was decisive.

That didn’t earn him any more game time though, and with such strong depth of competition in the Benfica midfield, Alfa is expected to be joining Wigan Athletic on loan.

The two clubs are thought to be forging something of an unofficial partnership, and this would certainly be a start.

The loan is not believed to contain a clause to make the move permanent.