Mainz 05 Provides Update on Leandro Barreiro’s Potential Move to Benfica Lisbon

According to Mainz 05, Leandro Barreiro’s late substitution is solely for fitness reasons. As far as a possible summer move for the Luxembourger to Benfica Lisbon is concerned, the Bundesliga club is still in the dark.

Mainz’ Leandro Barreiro is about to sign with Portuguese champions Benfica Lisbon. IMAGO/Kessler sports photography

The absence of Brajan Gruda and Barreiro from the Mainz starting eleven against VfL Wolfsburg came as a surprise. Midfield dribbler Gruda initially had to sit on the bench due to a more defensive orientation, while Barreiro suffered a torn muscle fiber in his thigh before the winter break. “He still lacked 100% security when it came to long balls or full-range shots,” emphasizes sports director Martin Schmidt. Before the Wolfsburg game, the Luxembourger only trained in doses, but from this week onwards “he should be fully involved” (Schmidt). “Unfortunately, Leandro wasn’t ready yet. The situation wasn’t quite right after he had played 45 minutes in the friendly,” agrees coach Jan Siewert.

Schmidt: “We only know about it from the media”

Barreiro’s possible move to Lisbon was not the reason for the place on the bench. According to media reports from Portugal, the Champions League club has already reached a commercial agreement with the 24-year-old, whose contract in Mainz expires at the end of the season, but nothing has been signed yet. “We only know about it from the media,” says Schmidt, “who submitted a new offer from Mainz 05 shortly before Christmas.”

He considers it “totally unusual” to provide clarity in a conversation after the news from Lisbon. A change during the winter break seems impossible anyway. Mainz does not want to give up its top performer, who has been trained at Bruchweg since 2016, and thus weaken itself in the relegation battle. “There’s nothing, we haven’t received a call either,” asserts Schmidt. Everything suggests that Benfica only wants to complete the transfer in the summer, when the player is available for free.

Barreiro, who acts as a sixth and eighth, has so far played 125 Bundesliga and ten DFB Cup games for Mainz 05 and has appeared 54 times for the Luxembourg national team.

2024-01-15 08:55:05
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