Benfica linked with Atletico´s Salvio

Benfica are weighing up a January move for Atletico Madrid winger Eduardo Salvio, a report has suggested.

The Liga Sagres club are believed to be in the market for a new right-sided attacker following Enzo Perez’s refusal to return to Lisbon following his Christmas holidays, according to Portuguese sports daily Record.

Perez, who moved to Benfica in the summer in a 5.5-million-euro deal, has made it clear he wants to return to Estudiantes after a disappointing start to his career in Europe, with a knee injury restricting him to just four appearances to date.

However, the Estadio da Luz outfit are holding out for a cash deal, while Estudiantes are only interested in signing the 25-year-old on a temporary basis.

Salvio spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Benfica, becoming an integral part of the team which finished second in the Portuguese league.

He returned to Atletico at the end of the campaign hoping to prove himself in Madrid, but opportunities have been hard to come by at the Vicente Calderon.

Earlier in the week, Salvio admitted he would like to return to Benfica one day, but he stressed on Thursday there have not been any negotiations with the club.