Benfica interested in Rodriguez

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus says his side are keeping an eye on Universidad de Chile right-back Matias Rodriguez.

The Argentine defender, who can also play in midfield, has been reported to be one of Benfica’s priorities for the January market as the Portuguese club look to find an alternative to Maxi Pereira at right-back.

Rodriguez said on Saturday that a move to the Estadio da Luz would be ‘impossible’ for him to turn down, and Jesus has now confirmed the 25-year-old is on his radar.

“I do not want to speculate or interfere with anything, especially when it comes to signings,” Jesus told La Tercera.

“We are always being offered Argentine and Uruguayan players, but we clearly know what the team needs.”

“I am not going to say anything further on this, but we know Rodriguez’s quality. We must wait.”

Reports suggest that Rodriguez, who moved to Universidad de Chile in 2010, could join Benfica in a deal worth 1.6 million euros.