Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham face increased price for winger after World Cup impact
Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been linked with Andreas Schjelderup, whose World Cup performances have reportedly pushed Benfica’s asking price significantly higher.
The Portuguese club had previously set a minimum valuation of €40m (£34.4m) for the Norwegian winger. Morning Mail now reports that Benfica will only consider negotiations starting at €50m (£43m).
That increase follows an impressive tournament for Schjelderup. The 22-year-old scored a screamer against England in Norway’s quarter-final defeat and provided two assists for Erling Haaland in the victory over Brazil.
Chelsea are identified by Correio da Manhã as one of the clubs interested in the attacker, as we previously covered. But Liverpool and Tottenham have also been repeatedly named among his Premier League admirers in reports from Italy and Portugal.
World Cup changes Benfica’s position
Andreas Schjelderup entered the tournament as a squad option and finished it as a starter for Norway.
To Ball says his performances have established him as one of the young players to emerge from the competition. That has strengthened Benfica’s negotiating position, despite the growing difficulty of keeping him in Lisbon.
Marco Silva considers Schjelderup an important part of his plans. However, Benfica are also looking for a major summer sale after raising more than €40m (£34.4m) through a series of smaller deals and payments.
Selling the winger could give Silva funds to strengthen several positions. That means the club’s sporting desire to retain him must now be balanced against the financial opportunity created by his World Cup displays.
For Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, Schjelderup appears more available than he did before the tournament, but he has also become considerably more expensive.
Renewal reportedly rejected
Andreas Schjelderup has a contract until 2028 and a €100m (£86m) release clause.
Before the World Cup, Benfica offered him a three-year extension worth a total of €18m (£15.5m). Correio da Manhã claims the winger rejected that proposal because he wants to leave this summer.
A Bola presents the situation with more caution. It says the renewal process has become increasingly difficult and Schjelderup is seriously considering a departure.
Either version represents a development from the previous position, when the offer had been made but the player’s response remained unclear.
His long-standing desire to play in England also keeps Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham firmly relevant.
The Premier League has been described in Portugal as his preferred destination, although Benfica’s absence from the Champions League may also influence his thinking.
Talks planned after his break
Andreas Schjelderup will now receive time off following Norway’s World Cup elimination.
A Bola says that, unless negotiations over a transfer progress before his return, he will hold talks with Marco Silva, Benfica president Rui Costa and general director Mário Branco.
Those discussions are expected to cover both a possible renewal and the conditions for a summer sale.
Marco Silva would prefer to keep the winger, especially as Benfica prepare for their European campaign. The club’s directors may see the situation differently if Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham approach the new €50m (£43m) threshold.
The World Cup has therefore brought Schjelderup closer to a potential departure while making any deal more expensive. Benfica now have a valuable asset, an unresolved contract situation and three Premier League clubs continuing to be linked.
