Everton in multi-club battle to sign Florentino Luis

Everton Eye Benfica Midfielder Florentino Luis in Summer Transfer Pursuit

Everton are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis from SL Benfica during the ongoing summer transfer window, as the Merseyside club looks to bolster its midfield options ahead of the 2025/26 season.

According to a report from A Bola, relayed by Sport Witness, the 25-year-old Benfica star has attracted strong interest from the Toffees. Manager David Moyes is believed to be eager to add more depth and energy to his midfield, especially with the aging Idrissa Gueye nearing the final stages of his career. Florentino has now emerged as one of the prime candidates under consideration.

The Portuguese giants are not willing to let go of their midfield talent on the cheap, and reports suggest they are holding out for a fee in the region of €30 million. That valuation could prove a stumbling block for Everton, especially with Burnley and Serie A outfit Napoli also keeping close tabs on the situation and ready to rival the Premier League side for his signature.

A Career of Growth and Resilience

Born in Lobito, Angola, and raised in Portugal, Florentino Luis came through the ranks at Benfica’s famed youth academy, known for producing elite talents. After breaking into the senior setup, he struggled initially to cement a consistent role and had to gain experience through loan spells at AS Monaco in Ligue 1 and La Liga side Getafe. Those loan stints proved valuable for his development, sharpening both his defensive discipline and composure on the ball.

Upon returning to Lisbon, Florentino gradually earned more playing time and went on to become a useful asset for Benfica, despite never fully locking down a permanent starting role. Over the years, he has accumulated over 150 appearances for the Portuguese club across all competitions, contributing with three goals and five assists — modest numbers, but his impact is felt more in his ability to break up play, recycle possession, and control tempo from deep midfield.

Despite not always being the first name on the team sheet, his skill set and potential have not gone unnoticed, drawing interest from clubs across Europe. Everton, in particular, have been monitoring his situation for some time, and this summer could be their opportunity to make a move.

Midfield Reinforcements on Everton’s Agenda

Everton’s interest in Florentino aligns with their broader strategy of refreshing the squad with younger, more athletic profiles in midfield. With Gueye edging closer to retirement and Amadou Onana’s future at Goodison Park still uncertain amid speculation of a summer exit, Moyes wants to ensure he has the right personnel to navigate what could be a challenging Premier League campaign.

Florentino fits the mold: young but experienced, defensively solid, and tactically intelligent. His style of play — marked by relentless work rate, intelligent positioning, and ball-winning abilities — could offer Everton a long-term anchor in the middle of the park.

However, the Toffees will need to move quickly and decisively if they are to beat out competition. Napoli are known to be long-time admirers of Florentino, and Burnley, who are looking to build a stronger squad after promotion, are also in the frame.

Will Everton Meet the Asking Price?

The biggest question mark remains whether Everton are willing — or able — to meet Benfica’s €30 million price tag. Financial constraints have limited their transfer spending in recent windows, and with other targets such as Douglas Luiz also under consideration, the club may be forced to prioritize.

Should Benfica lower their asking price, or should Everton offload a few players to free up funds, a deal could become more realistic. Until then, it remains a developing story, with Everton’s interest very much alive but far from a guaranteed success.

As the transfer window heats up, all eyes will be on Goodison Park to see whether Florentino Luis becomes the next addition to the David Moyes era — or whether the Toffees are forced to look elsewhere in their search for midfield reinforcements.