Report: President makes £18m Tottenham target available for transfer, Jorge Mendes key

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Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira is willing to sell reported Tottenham Hotspur target Pizzi before the October transfer deadline and, according to O Jogo, has made his feelings clear to the Argentine’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Nuno Espirito Santo is not the only Premier League manager who has Mendes on speed dial.

Jose Mourinho also enjoys a close relationship with his fellow Portuguese and, eight months after signing one Gestifute client from Benfica in Gedson Fernandes, the Tottenham boss could be back for another.

A Bola reported in August that the north London giants had made contact over a potential deal for Portugal international Pizzi.

The 30-year-old, who joined Benfica from Atletico Madrid in 2013, is hardly the kind of hungry young talent Spurs chairman Daniel Levy likes to sign. The phrase ‘re-sale value’ is a key one at Spurs these days.

But Mourinho’s preference for proven, experienced stars is well established. This is a coach in it for the here and now, with instant success prioritised over long-term team building.

And, according to new claims from O Jogo, Benfica would be happy to sit down with Tottenham and discuss a deal for their four-time Primeira Liga-winning legend – a forward who has played nearly 300 games, scored 75 goals and won ten trophies in Lisbon.

Benfica president Vieira no longer sees Pizzi as ‘non-transferrable’ and would accept £18 million.

What’s more, the Portuguese giants have also signed three talented young forwards capable of replacing the veteran in Jorge Jesus’ starting XI during a £70 million summer splurge.