Transfer Zone

FC Porto To Hijack Benfica's Jose Antonio Reyes Deal - Report

FC Porto are reportedly readying a shock move for the Atletico Madrid winger...

Jul 8, 2009 5:15:50 PM

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Jose Antonio Reyes, Atletico Madrid

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José Antonio Reyes

Jose Antonio Reyes spent last season on loan at Benfica, who are eager to secure a permanent move for the 25-year-old attacker.

However, Benfica and Atletico Madrid have been unable to settle on a sum for Reyes' services, the winger being valued by his club at €6.5 million.

According to Correio da Manha, Reyes could now join the Estadio do Dragao as part of the €3million compensation Atletico Madrid will have to pay Porto for the signing of Paulo Assuncao last summer.

If the deal goes through, it represents Porto's third success over Benfica in the transfer market in the space of a year following the captures of Cristian Rodríguez and Alvaro Pereira, a twosome that were also on the Eagles' radar.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid sporting director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, has criticised Benfica over their handling of the whole Reyes affair.

"They have systematically failed with their promises," he is quoted in A BOLA as saying.

"Benfica always said they would move to buy Reyes until the end of the week, but that never happened.

"If he [Reyes] repeats the season he made in Portugal, we will be very happy to have him with us."

Luís Mira, Goal.com