Chelsea Weigh £38m Bid for Benfica Right-Back Daniel Banjaqui

Chelsea Eye £38m Benfica Right-Back Daniel Banjaqui as Reece James Faces Three Months Out

Chelsea are weighing a January move for Benfica right-back Daniel Banjaqui, with the 18-year-old available for a £38m release clause. The interest follows confirmation that Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery and is expected to be out for up to three months.

Player: Daniel Banjaqui
Age: 18
Current club: Benfica
Release clause: £38m (€45m, $51m)
Rival interest: Arsenal, Liverpool
Reece James: Out for up to three months after minor knee surgery

Deal details

Benfica hold a release clause in the region of £38m (€45m, $51m) for Daniel Banjaqui, according to TeamTalk. Chelsea are considering a January move, but Benfica would prefer to keep the 18-year-old to continue his development. However, the report states the Portuguese club would have little choice but to listen if Chelsea match the clause.

No formal bid has been submitted. The interest is described as firm, with Arsenal and Liverpool also tracking the right-back.

Injury and availability

Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery and is expected to be out for up to three months. The Chelsea captain has missed a cumulative 834 days of action since his senior debut in September 2019.

Malo Gusto remains in the squad but may be down the thinking of the coaching staff and could become available if the right proposal arrives.

Marco Palestra, signed in the summer, made his debut from the bench in the 5-1 win over Bournemouth and is believed to have internal support to push for more involvement.

Why Chelsea are looking

Chelsea are balancing present needs with long-term planning at right-back. James remains one of the most gifted full-backs in the Premier League when fit, but his injury record has made the position difficult to rely on. Banjaqui is seen as a technically gifted, attack-minded full-back with the physical attributes to develop into a Premier League regular.

The 18-year-old Benfica academy graduate has started to feature more regularly for the first team this season, making appearances in the Primeira Liga and Europa League. He fits Chelsea's recent recruitment model of securing elite young talent before the market becomes more crowded or expensive.

Alternatives and priorities

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is also mentioned as an alternative, viewed as an opportunistic signing. However, any January move appears difficult, as Hansi Flick is not keen on a January exit, and a transfer would likely depend on a substantial fee and changing circumstances at Barcelona. The report states that nothing is advanced or progressing on that front.

Central midfield remains Chelsea's main priority for the winter window, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott identified as the primary target. Liverpool are also interested in Scott. Even so, right-back is now actively under consideration, underlining how seriously the issue is being discussed internally.

Analysis: Why Banjaqui Makes Sense for Chelsea

Daniel Banjaqui would be a proactive, strategic signing. At 18, he has time to develop under less immediate pressure than a ready-made starter, yet he already has first-team exposure in Portugal. With Reece James out for up to three months and Malo Gusto's future uncertain, Chelsea need reliability rather than just talent in that position.

The £38m clause is steep for a teenager but reflects the current market for top young defenders with elite athleticism and technical quality. If the recruitment team believe Banjaqui can become a Premier League regular, waiting could make the deal harder and more expensive, especially with Arsenal and Liverpool monitoring. Chelsea have repeatedly shown a preference for moving early on elite young talent.

However, the club must also manage immediate expectations. Marco Palestra could be given opportunities, but handing a debutant the right-back role in a demanding season carries risk. The balance between short-term cover and long-term succession is the key decision facing Chelsea's hierarchy.

Talking points

Is £38m too much for an 18-year-old with limited first-team experience, or is it simply the going rate for elite young defenders?
Should Chelsea prioritise a midfielder like Alex Scott over a right-back, given the current squad?
If Malo Gusto is allowed to leave, does that make Banjaqui an even more essential signing?
Can Chelsea convince Benfica to sell if they trigger the clause, or will the Portuguese club resist?

What happens next

Chelsea will continue to assess their right-back options ahead of the January window. The immediate priority is covering Reece James's absence for up to three months, while also planning for the long term. A decision on whether to trigger Banjaqui's £38m release clause is expected in the coming weeks, with Arsenal and Liverpool also monitoring the situation.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Daniel Banjaqui?

Daniel Banjaqui is an 18-year-old right-back who plays for Benfica. He is a technically gifted, attack-minded full-back who has featured in the Primeira Liga and Europa League this season.

How long will Reece James be out for?

Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery and is expected to be out for up to three months. He has missed a cumulative 834 days of action for Chelsea since his debut in September 2019.

Is Chelsea signing Jules Kounde?

Jules Kounde is mentioned as an alternative target, but the report says nothing is advanced or progressing. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is not keen on a January exit, making any move difficult.