Benfica in Talks to Sell Arthur Cabral to Botafogo for €15 Million
Benfica is in negotiations with Brazilian club Botafogo over the sale of striker Arthur Cabral for a reported €15 million, according to sources close to the deal. The news was first reported by Brazilian portal Globoesporte, which claims that Botafogo has identified Cabral as the ideal replacement for Igor Jesus, who is set to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth over €20 million.
The Brazilian club, managed by Renato Paiva, who worked at Benfica until 2020, has made Cabral their top target to strengthen their attacking lineup. Paiva, who spent two years in charge of Benfica’s B team, is believed to be a big fan of the 27-year-old striker, who joined Benfica in 2023 from Fiorentina for €20.5 million. Cabral was brought in to replace Gonçalo Ramos, but he has failed to establish himself as a regular starter, sharing the attacking duties with Musa, Tengstedt, and Marcos Leonardo in his first season, and losing his place to Pavlidis in the second.
According to A Bola, Benfica is keen to sell Cabral permanently and recover part of the investment made in his transfer. A sale to Botafogo for around €15 million would be seen as a positive move by the Portuguese club, which had previously rejected loan offers from West Ham and Brazilian clubs.
The interest from Botafogo comes as no surprise, given Cabral’s profile and the fact that he has struggled to make an impact at Benfica. Despite his impressive record in the past, Cabral has failed to replicate that form in Portugal, leading to speculation about his future at the club. A Bola reports that Benfica is open to selling Cabral, and negotiations are ongoing.
Cabral’s potential move to Botafogo would also be seen as a coup for the Brazilian club, which is looking to strengthen its attacking lineup. The club has been monitoring Cabral’s progress and believes he has the potential to make a significant impact in the Brazilian league. With Renato Paiva at the helm, Botafogo is expected to play an attractive brand of football, and Cabral’s signing would be a statement of intent.
The sale of Arthur Cabral would also raise questions about Benfica’s transfer policy and the club’s ability to identify and develop top talent. The Portuguese club has a reputation for producing talented young players, but the signing of Cabral for €20.5 million was seen as a statement of intent to challenge for major honors. A Bola reports that Benfica is keen to move on from the Cabral saga and focus on building a stronger squad for the upcoming season.
As the transfer window heats up, Benfica fans will be keeping a close eye on developments surrounding Arthur Cabral’s future. A sale to Botafogo would bring much-needed cash to the Portuguese club, which could be used to strengthen the squad in other areas. For Cabral, a move to Brazil could be a fresh start, allowing him to rebuild his career and regain his confidence in front of goal. Only time will tell if the deal goes through, but one thing is certain – Benfica is keen to sell, and Botafogo is keen to buy.
