Benfica has emerged as one of the world’s most astute football clubs in player transfer negotiations, according to a new study. The Portuguese club ranks fifth globally among teams demonstrating the “smartest” transfer market strategies since January 2021, showing a net positive balance of approximately $373 million (346 million euros) from player transactions and current squad valuation.
This places Benfica behind only Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt, which leads with an estimated $723 million, followed by Real Madrid ($638 million), Brighton ($513 million), and Stuttgart ($384 million) in financial acumen.
The study, conducted by the Football Observatory (CIES), credits Benfica with a $159 million (147 million euros) profit from the buying and selling of players. The club reportedly invested around $230 million (213 million euros) and received approximately $388 million (360 million euros) from sales, including prominent figures like Enzo Fernández.
Eintracht Frankfurt also leads this specific category, with a positive balance of approximately $309 million (286 million euros) from sales alone.
Beyond sales, CIES estimates the market value of players signed by Benfica since January 2021 who remain in their current squad at an additional $215 million (199 million euros). Real Madrid tops this particular metric, holding an estimated $629 million (583 million euros) in value for current players acquired during the same period.
Other major Portuguese clubs also showed positive balances, though significantly lower. Sporting reported a profit of around $87 million (81 million euros) from transfers, having invested $132 million (122 million euros) and received $219 million (203 million euros).
FC Porto registered a balance of approximately $50 million (46 million euros), investing $104 million (96 million euros) and recouping $153 million (142 million euros).
The CIES evaluation method assesses both the purchase and sale prices of transferred players. It also considers the estimated market value and salaries of those who have remained with their clubs.