Geovanni targets Benfica stay

BRAZILIAN midfielder Geovanni is eager to extend his loan spell at Benfica from Barcelona for a further season.

Geovanni linked up with the Portuguese giants during January's transfer window and has enjoyed his stint under Jose Antonio Camacho's tutelage.

Though he is contracted to Barcelona until 2006, the South American wants to stay at Estadio da Luz for at least one more campaign.

The midfield ace is merely waiting for the outcome of Barcelona's club elections next month before he can secure his deal to remain in Portugal.

"I only want to play football and I would like very much to help Benfica in the Champions League," Geovanni told A Bola.

"This does not depend only on me but I have found a very good work group here and my desire is to continue with Benfica."

Geovanni's agent Roberto Assuncao affirmed his client's intention to stay with Benfica following speculation linking the player with a return to his homeland with Cruzeiro.

Assuncao stated: "The priority for Geovanni is Benfica and the possibility of returning to Brazil is very difficult, not to say impossible."