When Joao Felix moved from Benfica to Atletico Madrid for a fee of 126 million euros (113 million British pounds), there were many eyebrows in the fee, although the Portuguese miracle was incredibly highly appreciated.
Three years later, Felix remains among the top three to five most expensive players of all time, depending on the reported transfer fees you use, but although he has enough talent, he will still perform it correctly and consistently.
Compensated by the sale of Rodri to Manchester City, Atletico actually ended up paying € 6 million more than the Felix release clause to get their man and caused a huge furor in the market with it.
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A little more than 36 months later, Benfica has just participated in another sensational sale. Unlike Porto, who could not negotiate too hard for Luis Diaz because they needed the money in January, Liverpool had to work hard to sign 22-year-old Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez – but this week they found their man.
Benfica is a team known for receiving high prices, not just for Felix. Manchester City paid around £ 60 million for Ruben Diaz in 2020, while three years earlier Ederson (then only 23; a very young goalkeeper) cost almost £ 40 million.
As early as 2012, Zenit paid almost £ 40 million to sign Axel Witzel, while the Wolves paid £ 34 million for Raul Jimenez in 2019, a year after Barcelona spent £ 32 million on Nelson Semedo and Manchester United spend the same on Victor Lindelef. Angel Di Maria cost Real Madrid £ 30 million back in 2010.
What is clear is that Benfica are difficult negotiators and rarely let their players go for less than their true value. About a year ago, then-Benfica manager Jorge Jesus said it would be a bigger fee than Felix’s price to sign Nunez.
So while Liverpool have paid the initial £ 64 million (up to £ 85 million, including allowances) for the 22-year-old, he is not only worth it, but they have done remarkably well to get it for that price.
If Liverpool have to pay the full price, they will be happy to do so. The clauses in the deal mean that they will win big trophies if they do – which in itself brings at least as much revenue as it will cost.
Although their deal for Nunez seems expensive at first glance, previous transfers involving Benfica have put this in a bigger perspective. Add to that the fact that the South American has a relatively modest salary at Anfield, and the transfer may still be profitable.
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