Attempt to keep 19-goal striker from Tottenham – Spurs keen on player for De Zerbi boost

Benfica have closed the door on January departures for Pavlidis, rejecting a €50m summer offer and rewarding him with an improved contract and €100m release clause.

Tottenham have been linked with Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis for months, but the Portuguese club have made clear they will not entertain offers for their key players in January. Pavlidis has scored 19 goals this season, continuing an impressive run after netting 30 in each of the previous two campaigns.

Benfica rejected a €50m (£41.8m) offer from Fenerbahçe last summer and subsequently rewarded Pavlidis with an improved contract, making him one of the club's highest earners. He is now protected by a €100m (£83.5m) release clause, a significant increase from the previously reported €40m valuation.

Manager Marco Silva views Pavlidis as central to Benfica's title challenge and Europa League ambitions, making a mid-season departure unlikely despite Tottenham's interest.