Sevilla may need to lower their transfer asking price for striker Dodi Lukebakio before the La Liga deadline.
Spanish top-flight sides must have all exits, sales and loans wrapped up by September 1 and Sevilla are still working on several deals.
With finances tight at the Estadiio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, new boss Matias Almeyda has been working on a limited budget, with zero spent this summer.
Loic Bade’s €25m exit to Bayer Leverkusen has offered a financial boost alongside the exits of Suso and Rafa Mir – with latter joining Elche on loan.
Almeyda has pulled off three free transfers with former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Cesar Azpilicueta the latest arrival in Andalucia.
However, the club want at least one more sale before the window closes, and Benfica are chasing Lukebakio.
Benfica demand cut price Lukebakio deal with Sevilla
As per reports from Diario AS, Benfica have been in direct talks with Sevilla over the Belgium international in recent days, but they are some distance apart on a fee.
Lukebakio netted 11 league goals last season, finishing the campaign as Sevilla’s top scorer, but he is also one of their highest valued assets.
His current contract includes a €45m release clause, of which 10% goes directly to the 27-year-old as part of his contractual agreement, which runs at the club until 2028.
However, Benfica are only willing to offer €30m, which the clauses drops to as the window closes, and can be put forward as a fresh offer in January.
Benfica have the flexibility to squeeze Sevilla over the deal, but they will require Lukebakio to waive his 10%, to take a hit on his current release fee.
Lukebakio has started Sevilla’s first two games of the new campaign, in defeats to Athletic Club and Getafe, with a goal on the road to loss in Bilbao.
