Santos director Felipe Faro met with the Benfica board last week, report Lancenet, adding to speculation that the Paulista side are attempting to bring Argentine Pablo Aimar to the Brasileirão.
The official reason for the trip, though, is given as an opportunity to “strengthen relations between the two sides”, following the sale of Benfica target Danilo to rivals Porto last season.
While Faro refused to comment on the matter, it has been widely reported that the club see Aimar as the perfect replacement for the recently departed Ganso and, with the Argentine’s contract expiring next summer, are hopeful of a cut-price move in January.
The club’s interest in Aimar was confirmed earlier this week by manager Muricy Ramalho, who revealed that the Peixe were “monitoring the situation” of the Benfica star.
Following the transfer of Danilo to Porto, the clubs’ relationship took a hit, with Benfica later unwilling to discuss an extension to striker Alan Kardec’s loan deal at the Vila Belmiro.
It is believed that the visit of Faro, who has a long relationship with Benfica based on his previous role at player rights agency Traffic, is an attempt to smooth over the cracks in the relationship ahead of a possible negotiation over the playmaker.
