Nico Gaitan set for January exit

Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims that Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan is set to leave Estadio da Luz in the January transfer window.

Gaitan, 24, exploded onto the biggest stage last season, with his excellent showings not going unnoticed.

After impressing for Benfica in the Champions League, the attacking midfielder has seen his name linked with Manchester United, Inter Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, but Benfica’s €30 million asking price proved a stumbling block to any deal.

The Argentine midfielder has since suffered a huge dip in form and lost a place in the starting line-up, starting just one Primeira Liga fixture this season.

Gaitan is believed to be looking for a way out of Estadio da Luz, and Benfica chiefs certainly wouldn’t mind cashing in on the 24-year-old.

The only problem is that the number of suitors has decreased a great deal, just like his value, but Anzhi Makhachkala could make a January bid for the player’s services.