Karim Benzema and Jose Mourinho could reunite at Benfica; Bruno Lage rejects Al Ahly as he wants to stay in Europe; Saudi clubs keep pushing for Bernardo Silva. Here are some of the main stories over the last few days of the transfer market from TribalFootball's transfer expert Rudy Galetti.
Benzema and Mourinho: reunion dream at Benfica
Karim Benzema is looking for a way back to European football and has no plans to extend his current deal with Al Ittihad, which runs until June 2026. The French striker is determined to return to the Champions League stage before the end of his career.
The club showing the most interest is Benfica. With Jose Mourinho now on the bench in Lisbon, Benzema has become one of the key targets for the Portuguese side. The two already shared three years together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, and Mourinho would love to work again with the former Ballon d’Or winner.
The most realistic scenario today is a free transfer in the summer of 2026, as Al Ittihad are not open to letting him leave easily. However, a January move cannot be fully ruled out, with the Saudi club asking for at least €7/8 million to even start talks.
Benfica, meanwhile, are carefully considering their strategy. Current striker Vangelis Pavlidis is in fine form, scoring twice in the recent 2-1 win over Gil Vicente and, in general, seven goals in this first part of the season so far.
But Benzema, for his part, is ready to reduce his salary demands to make the move possible: Mourinho believes such a signing could transform Benfica both in Portugal and in Europe. A path to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Kerwin Vargas: Charlotte’s rising star is attracting top club interest
Kerwin Vargas is having the best season of his young career. The 23-year-old Colombian winger, already a U23 international with his country, has been a key player for Charlotte, guiding the team to a guaranteed spot in the MLS playoffs. His pace, creativity, and versatility - being able to play on both flanks - have made him one of the most dangerous attackers in the league.
This year alone, Vargas has scored seven goals and provided three assists, but his impact extends far beyond the numbers. Since he arrived in the United States, he has quickly become a fan favourite and an essential part of Charlotte’s attacking system.
Behind the scenes, his performances have not gone unnoticed. Not for nothing, Vargas was very close to joining a club from the City Football Group in the last transfer window, with talks advanced before the deal eventually collapsed.
However, the interest has not waned, and scouts from CFG continue to follow him closely ahead of the January window. With a contract running until December 2027, Charlotte are in a strong position.
Still, Vargas is now firmly on the radar of important clubs and his name, after the MLS playoffs, is expected to be one of the hottest in the coming months.
Bruno Lage rejects Al Ahly: he’s waiting for Europe
After several days of reflection, Bruno Lage has decided to reject Al Ahly’s proposal to become their new head coach. The Egyptian giants made a strong financial offer and were confident of convincing the Portuguese manager, but Lage preferred to keep his options open.
The former Benfica and Wolverhampton Wanderers coach seriously considered the move, with his family also open to relocating to Egypt. However, interest from clubs in Europe’s top leagues pushed him to wait for other concrete opportunities.
Lage’s priority remains a return to English football, where he previously managed Wolves, though he is also open to a new experience in France. The timing of the decision is also significant.
Just last week, Lage formally ended his contract with Benfica. He even gave up the compensation he was entitled to, accepting only his September salary and the bonus related to Champions League group stage qualification.
For Al Ahly, the refusal is a setback as they continue their search for a high-profile coach. For Lage, it is a calculated pause, as he waits for the right project in Europe to match his ambitions. At 49, the Portuguese coach is determined to prove himself again on one of the continent’s main stages.
Al Ittihad set their sights on Jurgen Klopp as the new head coach
Al Ittihad are considering Jurgen Klopp as their main target to replace Laurent Blanc on the bench. The Saudi club have several names on the shortlist, but a concrete move for the former Liverpool manager is viewed as the top priority. Klopp, who left Liverpool in the summer of 2024, is currently working as football coordinator for the Red Bull group.
Al Ittihad see him as the ideal candidate to lead their long-term project and bring international prestige to the Saudi Pro League. Negotiations will not be simple, but the club is prepared to test the waters in the coming weeks. Other coaches remain under consideration.
Luciano Spalletti, after his experience with the Italian national team, and Sergio Conceicao, who ended his spell at AC Milan at the end of the last season, are both open to exploring the opportunity if it arises.
Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez - another name linked to the job - has ruled himself out. The Spaniard prefers to wait for an offer from one of Europe’s biggest clubs and does not see a move to Saudi Arabia as a concrete option at this stage. For Al Ittihad, however, Klopp remains the dream appointment and the clear number one choice.
Saudi clubs keep pushing for Bernardo Silva, Barcelona are also in the race
The Saudi track for Bernardo Silva is still alive. After an initial attempt during the summer, several clubs under the PIF umbrella continue to show strong interest in the Portuguese midfielder. With his contract at Manchester City expiring in June 2026, a possible free agent move is seen as a huge opportunity, and talks inside PIF include the idea of offering him a long-term deal running until 2030. For now, no decision has been made by Bernardo Silva himself.
The 31-year-old is fully focused on this season with Manchester City and remains a key player for Pep Guardiola’s team. His priority is to keep competing at the highest level in Europe. Barcelona are also in the picture.
The Spanish giants have followed Bernardo closely and see him as a realistic free transfer target, especially given their financial limits in recent years. A move at zero cost would fit perfectly into their strategy of signing top players without heavy transfer fees.
The coming months will be crucial. While Saudi clubs prepare big offers, Barcelona remain attentive, hoping to convince Bernardo to continue his career at Camp Nou. His future is one of the major stories to watch in European football.
