Franco Cervi was left out of Benfica’s Champions League qualification clash with PAOK this week as the reported Aston Villa target falls out of favour at the Estadio da Luz, as reported by Record.
It is fair to say Benfica did not relish the losing feeling.
After collapsing in a disastrous end to 2019/20 and handing over their Primeira Liga title to bitter rivals Porto, the Lisbon giants have not only re-hired legendary manager Jorge Jesus, they have also spent over £70 million in the transfer market in an attempt to re-claim their throne.
With Brazil international Everton Soares arriving in a big-money deal from Gremio, one of the longest serving players in the Benfica squad appears to have one foot out of the door – the victim of Jesus’s rebuilding project.
Cervi, a 2016 signing from Rosario Central with two league titles and almost 150 appearances under his belt, was not even included in the matchday squad as Benfica exited the Champions League at the qualification stage with a 2-1 defeat to PAOK.
A Bola reported in August that the £13 million Argentine had no future at the Estadio da Luz.
And, after watching on from home as his teammates travelled to Greece, Cervi will need a miracle if he is to earn a place among Jesus’ disciples.
With Aston Villa set to sign Bertrand Traore and Werder Bremen confirming interest in Milot Rashica, a move to the Premier League might have already slipped through Cervi’s hands.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
