Manchester City to complete the signing of Benfica defender Ruben Dias
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Benfica star centreback Ruben Dias in the coming days as they look to bolster their defensive options for the new campaign.
Benfica's match against Moreirense on Saturday is set to be his last with the club, before he travels to England to complete a move to Manchester City, which should earn Benfica €50million up front, which is understood to then rise beyond €65million should he complete various objectives.
The Portugal international, who has already represented his country 19 times and lifted the UEFA Nations League despite being just 23 years of age, is one of Benfica’s most lucrative assets, and was previously deemed unavailable for transfer at Benfica.
However, after the Lisbon club failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage, sales are a necessity, and offers for Dias, as one of the most valuable players at the club, have therefore been considered.
Manchester City, in addition to paying in the region of 50 million euros upfront for the player, are also willing to part ways with former FC Porto defender Nicolas Otamendi as part of the deal.
Ruben Dias, who is protected by a 100 million euro release clause, can head to England on Sunday to carry out medical examinations ahead of the move.
Reports have previously suggested that Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing the Portuguese defender, though Benfica’s valuation was always expected to be too high for Mourinho’s side to make a serious attempt to sign the central defender.
What type of player will Manchester City be getting?
Ruben Dias has proven himself to be a physical and dominant defender and is very strong aerially and commanding in one-on-one duels.
It is perhaps for the Portugal national team and in European competition for Benfica that he has been tested most regularly, and so often is seems that every ball whipped into the box towards his zonal area is headed away in convincing fashion.
For the national team he has been particularly impressive; playing alongside Pepe, they have forged an excellent and, at times, impenetrable partnership with their understanding of the game and bravery on and off the ground.
With his defensive understanding comes good concentration, and it is not too often that he is badly caught out. That probably comes from the fact that he has played for Benfica throughout his senior career, and is therefore used to playing against sides that don’t see much of the ball. Dias therefore is used to having to only spring into action on a limited number of occasions each game and therefore knows the necessity of being switched on even when his side don’t look to be under threat.
He’s also difficult to get past; when he is defending against a player in one-on-one situations, usually he manages to extinguish, or at least delay, the attack to allow teammates to regroup in the defensive phase.
Dias is also a competent passer of the ball and can play out from the back over short distances, although he is most used to playing sides that stand off and give him the time on the ball to pick out his man. In the English Premier League, even if he is playing for one of the best in the world, he is unlikely to get that, so his ball-playing ability may have to improve.
