BENFICA HEAD BOA MORTE CHASE

BENFICA have emerged as favourites to sign Portuguese forward Luis Boa Morte in the summer, although FC Porto and Sunderland are also being linked with Fulham's loan star.

The 23-year-old is on loan at Craven Cottage from Southampton, where he has been told that he has no future by manager Glenn Hoddle.

Benfica, as expected, have immediately jumped to the head of the queue for his signature, and would be willing to pay around £2 million to The Saints.

After signing Roma's Ednilson at the weekend, Benfica are already preparing for next season, and are looking to take Boa Morte back to his home town of Lisbon, where his brother currently plays for rivals Sporting.

However, they are likely to face competition from Porto and Premiership high-fliers Sunderland, although the player himself admitted last week that he wants to return to Portugal in the summer.

Click here to read Sunday's story, Boa Morte Considers Return Home