The availability of the former Juventus skipper Claudio Marchisio is set to spark a battle between Benfica and the current champions of the Portuguese league FC Porto. The 32-year-old midfielder after a 12-year spell with the Bianconeri of which he almost clocked 400 appearances, communally terminated his contract with the club in search of a new adventure earlier this month.
According to reports, Marchisio has his heart set on the Portuguese league although he is yet to determine the exact camp he will be continuing his career with the end of the transfer window closing in.
Goal understands that three of the top clubs in the Primiera Liga namely Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting C. P. are all interested in securing the service of the seven-time Scudetto winner.
However, interest from the latter has subsided in recent times with the club turning its attention to secure the signatures of other players. This, as a result, leaves Benfica and Porto in a two-way battle.
Per Goal's account, although Marchisio has a meeting scheduled with negotiators from FC Porto in the days before the end of the transfer window, his family's desire to live in the capital of Portugal may turn the odds in favor of Benfica.
