Crystal Palace and Southampton leading race for £8m-rated Benfica right-back Andre Almeida
Both Premier League clubs watched Portuguese international over the weekend and are ready for transfer tug-of-war
CRYSTAL PALACE and Southampton are leading the chase for Benfica’s £8million-rated defender Andre Almeida.
Both clubs watched the versatile 26-year-old right-back turn in a man-of-the-match performance in Sunday's 3-1 win over Guimares in the Portuguese Super Cup.
Benfica are now braced for bids for the Portugal international who can also play at left-back and as a defensive midfielder.
The Portuguese champions are trying to persuade Almeida to stay with the offer a new contract.
But he’s stubbornly resisting in a bid to realise his dream of playing in the Premier League.
reports that Almeida, originally a holding midfielder, uses his experience and tactical awareness to bring solidity to the full-back position.
His positioning still lacks at times, but his game reads, and the ability to deliver the right pass out of the back, prove to be valuable assets when he is on the field.
Almeida faced Chelsea in the 2013 Europa League final and proceeded to go from strength to strength.
But he saw less of the pitch this past season, having only played a total of 25 games.
Most of them came in the second half of the season - a far cry from the action he had seen the year before.
But his consistent performances earned him an international spot.
Palace, meanwhile, are keen on PSV Eidhoven striker Luuk de Jong.
Southampton are still digging their heels over central defender Virgil van Dijk.
The latest situation sees the south coast club preferring to sell the Dutchman to Chelsea rather then Liverpool.