Chelsea ready to trigger £38m clause for Benfica full-back Daniel Banjaqui

Chelsea have made Benfica right-back Daniel Banjaqui their leading January transfer target and are prepared to meet a £38m valuation if the Portuguese club agree to sell, according to TEAMtalk. Arsenal and Liverpool are also tracking the 18-year-old, whose senior breakthrough came under José Mourinho.

  • Player: Daniel Banjaqui, 18-year-old right-back, Benfica academy graduate
  • Clubs interested: Chelsea (leading), Arsenal, Liverpool
  • Fee: £38m valuation; Benfica could be open to a sale if it is met
  • Window: January transfer window
  • Senior debut: 17 December 2025, Benfica 2-0 S.C. Farense, Taça de Portugal
  • Context: Chelsea captain Reece James is injured

Deal details

Chelsea have identified Banjaqui as their priority signing for the January window, per TEAMtalk. The report states that Benfica could be open to the defender's departure if their £38m valuation is met, and there is a growing possibility the Blues could trigger his release clause amid Reece James's injury. No agreement has been reached and the move remains at the rumour stage.

Banjaqui is a Portugal Under-21 international who has progressed through Benfica's youth setup, the same academy that produced João Félix and João Neves. His senior debut came under José Mourinho in a 2-0 Taça de Portugal win over S.C. Farense on 17 December 2025. Since then he has made six first-team appearances, three of them in the current campaign.

The numbers

  • £38m: Benfica's reported valuation for Banjaqui
  • 18: Banjaqui's age
  • 6: senior Benfica appearances in total
  • 3: appearances in the current campaign
  • 10: ground duels won vs AC Milan in the Champions League
  • 7: tackles won vs AC Milan
  • 7: recoveries vs AC Milan
  • 33 of 39: passes completed vs AC Milan

Injury and availability

Chelsea's interest is driven in part by the injury to club captain Reece James. The source does not specify the nature or expected length of James's absence, only that it has prompted Chelsea to prioritise a new full-back. Banjaqui himself is fit and available for Benfica.

Why Chelsea want Banjaqui – and why Arsenal and Liverpool are circling

Chelsea's recruitment strategy has leaned heavily on young talent, with Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian cited as successes. Banjaqui fits that mould: a teenage full-back with Champions League experience. His performance in Benfica's 2-0 win over AC Milan last month – ten ground duels won, seven tackles, seven recoveries and 33 completed passes from 39 – showed he can handle high-stakes European football. That display is exactly why Chelsea view him as capable of slotting straight into Xabi Alonso's first team.

Yet the path to minutes at Stamford Bridge is not straightforward. Chelsea already have Malo Gusto and the newly signed Marco Palestra as right-back options, so adding Banjaqui would create competition rather than solve an immediate crisis. James's injury changes the short-term calculation, but the long-term plan appears to be stockpiling elite young full-backs.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both keeping close tabs on the Portugal Under-21 international, according to the report. Their interest could force Chelsea's hand: if the Blues hesitate, a rival could trigger the £38m clause first. For Benfica, the equation is simple – they will sell if their valuation is met. The Portuguese club's academy has a track record of producing top-level talent, and Banjaqui is the latest to attract Premier League attention.

Expect Chelsea to move decisively in January. The combination of James's injury, the club's youth-focused model and the threat of competition from Arsenal and Liverpool makes a formal approach likely. Whether Benfica accept £38m or hold out for more will shape the deal. For now, the race is on.

Talking points

  • Is £38m too much for an 18-year-old with six senior appearances, or a bargain for a Champions League-proven full-back?
  • Chelsea already have Gusto and Palestra – should they prioritise a striker instead of another right-back?
  • Would Banjaqui get more game time at Arsenal or Liverpool, and does that make them more attractive?
  • Is Benfica's willingness to sell at £38m a sign they doubt he will justify a higher fee?

What happens next

Chelsea are expected to be among the busiest sides in January and could formalise their interest in Banjaqui when the window opens. The decisive moment will be whether they trigger the £38m clause. Arsenal and Liverpool remain on alert, and Benfica will not stand in the player's way if their valuation is met. The next move belongs to Chelsea.

Frequently asked questions

How much would Chelsea have to pay for Daniel Banjaqui?

Benfica value Banjaqui at £38m and could be open to his departure if that fee is met, according to TEAMtalk.

Are Arsenal and Liverpool interested in Daniel Banjaqui?

Yes. Both Arsenal and Liverpool are keeping close tabs on the Portugal Under-21 international ahead of a possible move.

When did Daniel Banjaqui make his Benfica debut?

He made his senior debut under José Mourinho in Benfica's 2-0 Taça de Portugal win over S.C. Farense on 17 December 2025.

Filed under: Transfer News | LA Premier League Home