Saviola set for Benfica switch

SL Benfica are on the verge of capturing Argentinian international Javier Saviola from Real Madrid CF in a €5m deal, with the forward set to sign a three-year contract with the Portuguese Liga side.

Aimar reunion
Saviola, 27, is expected to put the finishing touches to the deal over the next few days subject to a medical, the deal re-uniting him with attacking midfielder Pablo Aimar, a one-time team-mate for CA River Plate. It was with River Plate that Buenos Aires-born Saviola began his career before spells at FC Barcelona, AS Monaco FC and Sevilla FC before switching to Madrid in 2007. He has been limited to just four Liga starts in two seasons with Los Merengues, however, and travels to Lisbon in search of regular playing time with a side preparing for the UEFA Europa League play-offs in August.