Benfica Pursues €24 Million Deal for Brazilian Winger Samuel Lino from Flamengo

Sport Lisboa e Benfica is preparing a multi-million-euro bid for Samuel Lino, the Brazilian winger who spent three successful seasons in Portugal's top flight before ascending to La Liga. The move could reunite the 26-year-old attacker with the Primeira Liga at a moment when his playing time at Flamengo has diminished—and when Benfica's leadership is demonstrating a willingness to spend aggressively in pursuit of attacking reinforcements.

Why This Matters

• Benfica has reportedly offered €24M for a player who cost Flamengo €22M just eight months ago.

• Flamengo is demanding between €33.5M and €43.5M to release Lino, setting up a tense negotiation.

• Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim, now managing Flamengo, has reduced Lino's minutes in favor of former Benfica flop Everton Cebolinha.

• Lino's contract with Flamengo runs until December 2029, meaning any transfer would require a substantial fee.

The Price Gap

Brazilian sports media outlets, including BolaVIP Brasil and Somos Fanáticos, report that Benfica president Rui Costa and his directors have signaled readiness to pay around R$144M (approximately €24M) for Lino's registration. That figure nearly matches what Flamengo invested to break their own transfer record when they signed the winger from Atlético Madrid in July 2025.

But Rio de Janeiro club officials are holding firm. Sources close to the negotiation indicate Flamengo will only consider offers in the range of R$200M to R$260M (€33.5M to €43.5M), a premium designed to guarantee profit on a player acquired less than a year ago. The Brazilian side views Lino as a strategic asset and sees no urgency to sell, especially given his long-term contract that extends through 2029.

Benfica's recent spending power is well-documented. The Lisbon club topped expenditure across the Primeira Liga during the summer 2025 window, committing over €135M to incoming transfers. High-profile signings like Richard Ríos (€27M–€28.4M), Franjo Ivanovic (€22.8M), and Dodi Lukebakio (€20M–€21M) demonstrate the club's capacity to operate at this level. Despite a narrow approval margin for the 2024/25 budget, Benfica achieved a slightly positive net transfer balance of €8.2M in summer 2025, preserving room for further investment.

Falling Out of Favor

Lino's debut campaign in Brazil was triumphant. Under then-manager Filipe Luís, the forward contributed 4 goals and 5 assists across 31 appearances during a trophy-laden 2025 season that saw Flamengo lift the Copa Libertadores, Brasileirão, Brazilian Supercup, and Campeonato Carioca. His form made him an instant fan favorite and appeared to justify the record fee.

But 2026 has been less kind. Collective instability at Flamengo, compounded by the March arrival of Portuguese manager Leonardo Jardim, has seen Lino relegated to a rotational role. In 12 matches under Jardim, the Brazilian has managed 2 goals and 3 assists, a return hampered by limited minutes. Jardim has favored Everton Cebolinha, the same winger who failed to make an impact at Benfica between 2020 and 2022, in the starting XI.

Still, Jardim has publicly backed Lino. After Wednesday night's 2–0 home victory over Cruzeiro, in which Lino came off the bench to provide the assist for Jorge Carrascal's sealing goal, the Portuguese coach praised the Brazilian's attitude. "The players have had a formidable attitude," Jardim said in his post-match press conference. "Today, beyond those who started, the ones who came on were important with assists or goals, like Lino and Carrascal. We are moving forward on our path and working daily."

Whether that vote of confidence translates into sustained playing time remains uncertain. Lino's immediate future at Flamengo may hinge on his performances over the coming weeks.

A Proven History in Portugal

For Benfica, the appeal of Samuel Lino is rooted in familiarity. The winger arrived in Portugal in 2019, signing for Gil Vicente from São Bernardo in Brazil. After an adjustment period, he exploded during the 2021–22 season, recording 12 goals and 5 assists in 34 league matches. That campaign saw Gil Vicente secure a historic fifth-place finish in the Primeira Liga, earning the club its first-ever entry into European competition—a spot in the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Across three seasons in Barcelos, Lino accumulated 101 official appearances, 27 goals, and 6 assists, performances impressive enough to attract Atlético Madrid, who paid €6.5M for his services in the summer of 2022. He was immediately loaned to Valencia, where he finished as the club's joint top scorer in La Liga with 6 goals alongside Justin Kluivert. Upon returning to Atlético, Lino became a fixture under Diego Simeone, tallying 12 goals and 16 assists in 93 appearances across all competitions. He debuted in the UEFA Champions League and scored his first European goal in a 6–0 rout of Celtic, adding two assists in the same match.

His athleticism, pace, dribbling ability, and tactical intelligence—including his capacity to contribute defensively—made him a versatile option capable of playing as a winger, wing-back, or full-back. That versatility could make him an attractive proposition for Benfica's tactical setup.

What This Means for Benfica Supporters

If the transfer materializes, Lino would represent a significant upgrade in wide attacking depth for Benfica, bringing a player with proven output in Portugal and experience in elite European competition. His familiarity with the Primeira Liga could ease integration, reducing the risk typically associated with high-value signings from abroad.

However, the €10M to €20M gap between Benfica's reported offer and Flamengo's asking price represents a genuine obstacle. Benfica has demonstrated financial muscle, but meeting Flamengo's valuation would push Lino into the upper tier of the club's transfer investments—territory usually reserved for marquee signings with immediate impact potential.

Negotiations will likely intensify as the mid-year transfer window approaches. For now, the story remains one of interest and posturing, with both clubs aware that Lino's current form and playing time will heavily influence the final price. Benfica supporters will be watching closely to see whether Rui Costa's administration is willing to stretch its budget to bring back a familiar face from Portugal's recent past.