Toulouse star http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542
According to reports in France, Ligue 1 side Toulouse’s midfielder, Paulo Machado, is being followed by the Portuguese giants, SL Benfica. It has been suggested that Benfica are looking to bring the Portugal International back home as soon as the transfer
window re-opens this June.
Benfica qualified for the UEFA Europa League semifinals last night after winning 6-3 on aggregate against Dutch giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eidenhoven. Reports suggest that the Portuguese giants are very keen on signing the Portugal International in the upcoming transfer
window as they look to build a strong team ahead of the next campaign.
Paulo Machado became a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011. Since then, Portugal’s national team coach Paulo Bento has regularly summoned the midfielder for International
friendlies and European qualification games. It has been further reported that the 25-year-old also wants to return to his native country.
However, the influential midfielder has not indicated that Benfica would be his destination. Before coming to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 in 2008, Machado was on FC Porto’s pay cheque. The rivalry between the two clubs is immense and this might be the reason behind the player’s
reluctance on moving to the other side of Lisbon. Machado admitted to this and said:
“Benfica’s interest in me is not new. They (Benfica) followed me for a long time. Before coming to France, I was a Porto player and the rivalry is so strong between the two clubs that it will be difficult to move from one to another.”
On the other hand, reports indicate that Benfica have contacted the player’s agent, but Machado has made it clear that last season’s Portuguese champions should contact his current club first. Currently, Machado’s contract at Toulouse lasts until June 2015.
Machado has indicated that he will respect his club’s decision.
“Benfica is a great club that is well-known throughout the world but I will not return to my homeland through a conflict between two parties. I’m very happy at Toulouse and I will respect the decision of my leaders because I am under contract,” the Portuguese
midfielder added.
Machado joined French club St. Etienne on loan in 2008 and played 35 games for the club. However, Porto decided to let go of the player and in 2009, Toulouse signed Machado on a four-year deal. Since then, Machado has become an integral part of his club.
Although he has played just once for his country, he has been regularly summoned by Coach Paulo Bento. The 25-year-old also won the Under-17 European Championship with Portugal in 2003.
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