Ruben Semedo's move to Benfica could save Nottingham Forest money
Benfica maintain a firm interest in Olympiakos centreback Ruben Semedo, formerly of Sporting CP, as they look to further strenghten their squad for the new campaign.
The Portuguese defender, who is yet to represent his country at senior level, joined Greek giants Olympiakos last summer for a fee in the region of 5 million euros and has been getting his career back on track after off-field incidences put his professional footballing career in doubt during his time in Spain.
Semedo, 26, had an excellent 2019-20 campaign as he helped lead Olympiakos, managed by compatriot Pedro Martins, to a comfortable league title, playing 44 matches across all competitions, including all 12 of their Champions League outings.
After a thoroughly convincing and dominant performance from defence last season, Benfica have maintained firm interest in Semedo, and could still make him a part of Jorge Jesus’ squad in time for the new season.
Indeed, Olympiakos, owned by Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis, are set to sign central midfielder Pêpê from Vitoria Guimaraes for around 6 million euros - and Benfica own 50% of his economic rights. That means that Semedo’s transfer fee could be lowered should Benfica agree to waive the fee they are owed for Pêpê.
Additionally, Nottingham Forest, who signed Joao Carvalho from Benfica two summers ago, are also owned by Marinakis, and are due to pay what will be a total sum of 15 million euros for the Portuguese player.
The transfer of Carvalho from Benfica to Nottingham Forest was arranged to be paid in installment, with Forest paying 5 million euros each year to Benfica over the course of three seasons. Currently, therefore, Forest have paid just 10 million euros for Carvalho, due to pay a further 5 million this year.
However, Benfica and Marinakis could come to an arrangement that that final 5 million euros for Carvalho will not need to be paid to Benfica, in return for Semedo’s transfer fee being lowered considerably.
Therefore, Ruben Semedo, who would ordinarily likely cost Benfica around 10 million euros, may end up costing just 2 million euros, with Nottingham Forest potentially benefitting financially and saving 5 million euros despite having not been involved in the transaction at all.
