When Marco Silva took over the job from Jose Mourinho at Benfica, he was quickly asked about Andreas Schjelderup. The Norwegian winger had played his way out of Mourinho’s “freezer” in the latter part of the 2025/26 season and convinced one of the world’s most high-profile coaches that he is one of the club’s greatest attacking resources. Silva was clear that he wanted and hoped Schjelderup stays. Benfica have effectively shown this summer how important the Norwegian World Cup hero is to the club.
The Norwegian World Cup hero has been linked to several Premier League clubs for several months, earlier this summer it was Barcelona. On Tuesday, the transfer window closed in the Premier League and La Liga. The 22-year-old will continue at Benfica.
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“Andreas is fundamental for Benfica and the way we want to play. He came from a good World Cup and was not in the pre-season. We are building him up carefully,” Benfica coach Marco Silva said in early August.
Before the World Cup, Benfica president Rui Costa gave an update on Schjelderup’s situation: “The proposal for a contract extension lies with him. There is no urgency, he is not in his last year of contract. We are waiting for the player’s answer. When he comes back from the World Cup, we will talk to him”. This was followed up at the end of August with a “We hope Schjelderup renews” from Costa.
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It was not based on interest from other big clubs, but with a buyout clause of 100 million euros in Schjelderup’s contract and a “pay or steer clear of the 22-year-old”, Benfica effectively blocked all advances. The Portuguese club is betting big on Schjelderup extending.
Over the next few months, it will probably become clear whether Schjelderup and Benfica will agree on a continuation. With less than two years left on his contract, the winter transfer window will be the last opportunity for Benfica to cash in big on the 22-year-old – if he does not extend.
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Benfica closed the door to the Premier League clubs this summer, it is clearly a club that is willing to go to great lengths to be able to keep the Norwegian international.
