Fulham have made an increased offer for Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis with an option-to-buy clause worth £25 million, according to Record.
While Leeds United and West Brom have broken their transfer records already this summer, the third and final Premier League newcomer could soon do the same.
Portugal U21 international Florentino Luis may become the most expensive signing in Fulham’s history if Benfica are willing to shake hands, overtaking Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Jean-Michel Seri.
It is fair to say Fulham will be hoping the 21-year-old fares rather better at Craven Cottage than a pair of big-money midfielders who spent last season out on loan and appear to have no future in West London.
Record claims that Florentino, who has been linked with AC Milan and compared to Real Madrid enforcer Casemiro, has been the subject of a new bid from Scott Parker’s side.
Fulham want him on loan, with an option to buy next year for £25 million.
The 2019 Primeira Liga champion is a deep-lying ‘number six’ and, as you might have guessed given those Casemiro comparisons, is at his best when snapping into challenges and breaking up attacks.
Florentino averaged ten tackles per game and five interceptions in the Europa League last season after all, and could forge a formidable midfield partnership with the energetic Harrison Reed.
“Florentino is a young player who has exceptional talent. From very early on, we realized that Florentino was on the road to becoming an elite player,” former Benfica coach Joao Tralhao told Bernabeu Digital.
“I see Florentino as a logical option (for Real Madrid). He has a profile very similar to that of Casemiro and in Europe he is, without a doubt, one of the best in his position.”
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