Barcelona will have to make an exceptional offer if they are to sign Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis, with the Portuguese club currently unwilling to sanction the Greece international’s departure.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Benfica’s only condition for considering a sale is the arrival of an offer that would be impossible to reject. Barcelona are continuing their efforts to sign a centre-forward during the final month of the summer transfer window as they look for an alternative to their preferred target, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid have taken a strong position against Barcelona’s pursuit of Alvarez, including submitting a formal complaint to FIFA alleging harassment. That development has led Barcelona to consider several other attacking options, with 27-year-old Pavlidis among the names to have emerged.
The possibility of Benfica selling Pavlidis is regarded as unlikely by the club’s hierarchy. That position is not expected to change unless a sufficiently attractive proposal is made.
Reports also indicate that Benfica had not received a formal offer for their leading scorer by the end of July. The Lisbon club, Portugal’s most decorated side, is therefore under no immediate pressure to accept a bid for the forward.
However, Pavlidis is reported to have gone on holiday feeling deeply concerned and frustrated about Benfica’s intentions. The Portuguese newspaper A Bola, which is regarded as close to the club, says the striker suspected the board wanted to sell him in order to offset the financial losses caused by Benfica’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Those concerns were intensified by a difficult spell in front of goal. Pavlidis scored only three times between February and May, a run that raised questions about his position and Benfica’s plans for him.
His fortunes have changed dramatically in recent days, though. The Greece international has scored four goals in the qualifying round of the Europa League, providing a significant boost to his profile and potentially strengthening Benfica’s negotiating position.
The Portuguese club’s valuation of Pavlidis has already discouraged interest from another major European side. Juventus made an enquiry about the striker during the transfer window, but withdrew from the possibility of completing a deal after Benfica indicated that they wanted €40m.
Barcelona’s interest comes as the club attempts to resolve its search for a new central striker. With Atletico Madrid resisting the prospect of selling Alvarez and taking the matter to FIFA, Pavlidis has become one of the alternatives under consideration.
For now, Benfica’s position remains clear: Pavlidis will not be allowed to leave unless Barcelona, or another interested club, submits a proposal capable of changing the Portuguese side’s view.
