The defender was released by the Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, after an unconvincing spell at Ibrox.
Rangers fans are reacting to reports a player whose contract Steven Gerrard terminated last summer could join a European giant 12 months on.
Fabio Cardoso was released a year after Rangers paid £1.35 million to sign him (Transfermarkt) and promptly joined Santa Clara in the Portuguese top flight.
But according to Correio da Manhã, Cardoso will return to Benfica when the transfer window opens having impressed the league leaders – who are also his former club – with his displays for the eighth-placed side.
So, did Rangers drop the ball with Cardoso – for whom a potential fee of £850,000 has been mooted?
This is what those of a Gers persuasion are saying on Twitter…
Bruno @daddybroon: Replying to @Football_SCOT
Nothing astonishing about it, he could clearly play, his reputation in Portugal was excellent but in parochial Scotland where clueless fans rule the roost he was classed as a dud before he could find his feet. Even Alves was vilified by ***** who know nothing about the game.
Rangers recruited four centre-halves in total last summer and are likely to strengthen again in Cardoso’s position, with two of those additions – Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley – set to leave at the end of their contracts in June.
The 24-year-old has already played six more times for Santa Clara (24) than he did for Rangers (18) and scored five more goals (five).
Could Cardoso have done a job for Rangers?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
