As the international break continues, Barcelona are still searching for titles. Looking ahead, there has been some news around transfer target Andreas Schjelderup, with Benfica reportedly set to give him an ultimatum soon.
Benfica are expected to offer the player a new contract that would include a higher release clause or they will sell the player in the next window, according to the newspaper A Bola. If Schjelderup agrees, his price would go up. With his contract running until 2028, the club does not have much room to maneuver.
What Barcelona want is for Schjelderup not to accept this renewal. With that decision from the player, pushed by agent Rafaela Pimenta according to Sport, the price could go down as Benfica are not ready to extend this negotiation for long.
Schjelderup’s price
Rejecting a higher release clause would make negotiations easier for Barcelona. The counterpoint to getting a better price is how highly the player is regarded by others, so what could drive his price up are the clubs that may try to sign him this summer.
Schjelderup plays for Norway (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The Spanish club have not been able to make major investments for a long time because their financial situation is still not ideal. They would not be able to pay the release clause, so waiting is their best option.
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Benfica set a 100 million euros release clause in Schjelderup’s contract. On the other hand, local reports say Benfica may even accept 20 million for him. While that does not seem very likely given the player’s valuation, they have already received a 12 million euro offer from Brugge.
Schjelderup’s playstyle
Schjelderup would be a bet for the future, not just an immediate boost to the team. He has not played too much for Benfica, with fewer than 100 matches there, but his profile could be ideal to replace Marcus Rashford. If the English forward does not improve in the final stretch of the season with Barcelona, they may decide not to buy him from Manchester United.
That would be a better role for someone younger like the Benfica player, who is only 21 years old. The winger could bring even more fresh energy to a team that already has talented young players. Despite his age, he is already part of the Norway national team, so his upside could make him a perfect fit looking toward the future.
