Top 10 most expensive player sales by SL Benfica

The club are popular for selling players and receiving huge transfer fees in return.

When it comes to making a profit off player sales, few clubs do it like SL Benfica. The Liga Portugal outfit are incredible at identifying and developing football players. In the past, it has seen several high-profile individuals come through the ranks and go on to represent elite clubs across Europe. The club falls along the lines of teams like AFC Ajax, FC Porto, Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco and more, that thrive on developing players, later selling them to the highest bidder.

Some of the recent players that Benfica sold include the likes of Darwin Nunez, Joao Felix, Ruben Dias and more. These players had outstanding talent and buckets of potential. The Portuguese giants nurtured that talent and gave them a platform to succeed. Eventually, the players left for bigger teams for huge transfer fees.

Keeping the focus on SL Benfica and their tendency to sell players for huge profits, here is a look at the top-10 most expensive players sales from the club:

10. Angel Di Maria - €33.00m

Angel Di Maria made his mark on the European stage with his performances for SL Benfica. The Argentine left the club in 2010-11 for Real Madrid. The Spanish giants had to pay €33.00m to the Portuguese outfit for his services. It was the start of big things for Di Maria, who also went on to play for teams like Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. 

9. Renato Sanches - €35.00m

Renato Sanches burst onto the scene during his SL Benfica days. FC Bayern Munich took the decision to spend €35.00m on an 18-year-old, such was his talent. The midfielder won four German Bundesliga titles. He struggled with injuries and lack of gametime, making a loan move to Swansea City in 2018 and then permanently signing for LOSC Lille in 2019. 

8. Victor Lindelof - €35.00m

Victor Lindelof joined Manchester United for €35.00m during the 2017-18 season. The Red Devils saw a lot of promise from the Swede international who was only 22 years old at the time. Since his move five years ago, the centre-back has played 193 matches for MUFC and continues to play a major role in the squad.  

7. Nelson Semedo - €35.70m

Nelson Semedo was full of potential and had a big future ahead of him back when he was playing for SL Benfica. The right-back was impressive with his speed and attacking prowess. FC Barcelona chose to spend €35.70m on the player as a result in 2017. He won two league titles and one domestic cup with FCB before signing for Wolves in the Premier League in 2020.

6. Raul Jimenez - €38.00m

Premier League outfit Wolves spent €38.00m to secure the services of Raul Jimenez from SL Benfica in 2019. The Mexican striker was excellent with his finishing qualities and immediately became a fan favourite in England. He arrived on an initial loan which later became a permanent move. Jimenez is still a valuable part of the Wolves squad, having played over 146 games for them.

5. Axel Witsel - €40.00m

Axel Witsel is yet another name in the long list of midfielders that left SL Benfica for bigger opportunities. The Belgian international cost €40.00m to Russian outfit Zenit St.Petersburg. The club signed Witsel back in 2012 where he made 179 appearances, winning one league title. He went on to play for clubs like Tianjin Tianhai, and Borussia Dortmund. He’s currently playing for Atletico Madrid.

4. Ederson - €40.00m

Ederson is the only goalkeeper in the top 10 most expensive departures from SL Benfica. Regarded as the most adept goalkeeper with the ball on his feet, Ederson joined Manchester City for a €40.00m fee in 2017. The custodian was instrumental in the Cityzens’ success after the move, winning the Premier League four times among other domestic honours. 

3. Ruben Dias - €68.00m

Another player that moved from SL Benfica to Manchester City for a huge transfer sum is Ruben Dias. The centre-back cost the English giants a whopping €68.00m back in 2020. His arrival at the club gave Pep Guardiola more depth in defence. Dias has helped City win two Premier League titles already and remains one of their most influential players today.

2. Darwin Nunez - €75.00m

Darwin Nunez is the latest high-profile departure from SL Benfica. The striker cost Liverpool €75.00m, which makes him the second most expensive player sold by the Portuguese outfit. He was in sensational form during the 2021-22 season, scoring 34 goals in 41 appearances across competitions. This is the precise reason why the Reds are investing so heavily in the 23-year-old forward.

1. Joao Felix - €127.20m

Joao Felix remains the most expensive departure from SL Benfica to date. The striker was signed by Atletico Madrid for an eye-watering figure of €127.20m. He was only 19 years old back then and spending so much money on a teenager was a major step by the Spanish club. Furthermore, he is also the fifth-most expensive transfer of all time. 

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