Benfica closing in on agreement with Ruben Dias

Benfica have been working hard to increase the release clause of Ruben Dias for some time now.

Having seen the price of centrebacks increase significantly over the last few years, Benfica are concerned that Dias is currently attainable by many of Europe’s elite clubs.

His release clause is currently set at 66 million euros - a value that is lower than that paid for Ajax centreback de Ligt earlier this month.

Such a valuation would prove very good business for many a club, particularly in today’s market, with Dias still being just 22 years of age but already a full Portugal international - one of the first names in Fernando Santos’ team sheet.

With that in mind, Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has been very keen to tie down Ruben Dias on a longer-term deal with a higher release clause, Vieira having previously stated that he sees Dias as a future club captain.

Dias has also expressed publicly how he is only focused on Benfica amid reported interest from elsewhere, and he and Benfica are closing in on an agreement that will see Dias earn over 2 million euros per season - and, more crucially, will see his release clause increased to 88 million euros, 22 million higher than his previous termination fee.

Dias had a tremendous campaign last season, which ended with him putting in a player-of-the-tournament display at the UEFA Nations League, a tournament that Portugal ultimately won.