Benfica have seen four of the seven players signed for more than 120 million euros last summer leave the club within a year, while none of the three who remain hold a regular starting place under head coach Marco Silva, who took over from Jose Mourinho this year.
Silva arrived at the Portuguese club and set about rebuilding the squad in his own image, showing little regard for reputations or the fees Benfica had paid for some of the players. Of the footballers signed by club president Rui Costa in the summer of 2025, four have since moved to other clubs, and none of those still at the Estadio da Luz are first-choice players.
Silva previously managed in the English Premier League, while Mourinho, the coach he replaced, has won league titles and European trophies with clubs including Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Rui Costa, Benfica's president, is a former Portugal international who played for the club during his career.
Rios and Ivanovic leave on loan deals
Colombian midfielder Richard Rios, whose signing represented an investment of 27 million euros, left Benfica this summer on loan to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, a deal worth three million euros with no option to buy.
Croatian forward Franco Ivanovic, who cost 22.8 million euros, moved to French club Lens on a loan worth 2.5 million euros, also without any purchase clause attached.
Dedic sold at a profit as Obrador struggles for minutes
Amar Dedic also left Benfica this summer, though his departure had different circumstances: the club sold him at a profit, with Newcastle United paying 35.9 million euros for the player.
Spanish forward Rafael Obrador, signed for five million euros for half of his economic rights, barely featured for the first team, playing just one match for Benfica before being loaned out to Torino and then, this season, to Sassuolo.
Sudakov loses his place after early promise
Ukrainian midfielder Sudakov, who cost 27 million euros in total between his loan and the permanent transfer fee, appeared to have found a new lease of life under Silva after mostly serving as a second option under Mourinho. He started Benfica's first ten matches of the season, but failed to justify the investment, and was dropped to the bench for the game against Moreirense, losing his place as a starter.
Barrenechea and Lukebakio also pushed down the pecking order
Argentine midfielder Enzo Barrenechea, heavily criticised last season, began this campaign as a starter. But the arrival of Joao Palhinha pushed him to the substitutes' bench. Barrenechea's transfer cost Benfica a total of 15 million euros.
Belgian international forward Lukebakio, who was already not a regular starter under Mourinho, came close to leaving the club this summer but ended up staying in the squad. Under Silva, he has featured in seven of Benfica's nine matches this season but started only once. Lukebakio cost the club 20 million euros.
