Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions Manchester City were reportedly interested in signing Florentino Luis from SL Benfica this summer.
We haven’t heard the last of Florentino Luis.
Benfica might have lost prized asset Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid but at least they managed to keep hold of a 20-year-old enforcer who caught the eye of Pep Guardiola during his first season in senior football.
According to the Guardian, Manchester City were very interested in adding Florentino to their star-studded squad over the summer. Benfica, knowing full well just what a talent they had on their hands, inserted a £52 million release clause in the contract of a youngster who had started just nine league games for the Eagles.
But, if Florentino was disappointed about missing out on a chance to join the Premier League champions, he hasn’t let that affect his performances.
No one in Portugal’s top flight has made as many interceptions as the Portugal U20 international this season with his tally of 17 putting him two clear at the top of the charts.
Florentino has started all four of Benfica’s league fixtures so far in 2019/20 while his 89 per cent pass completion offers another indication of why Guardiola, a man who prioritises possession above everything else, is such a big fan.
With 34-year-old Fernandinho not getting any younger, don’t be surprised if Florentino is battling Rodri to become the beating heart of Manchester City’s midfield this time next year.
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