Aston Villa and Tottenham handed potential opening – Contract renewal hits unexpected snag

Prestianni has agreed Benfica's contract renewal terms but a payment schedule dispute over his signing bonus is delaying the signing.

Gianluca Prestianni has agreed to Benfica's contract renewal proposal, with salary, length and signing bonus all settled in principle. However, a disagreement over the payment schedule is holding up the formal signing.

Benfica want to delay the signing bonus until the end of the season for financial and accounting reasons, but the 20-year-old Argentine winger wants to receive it immediately so he can help his family, who have supported him throughout his career. He's willing to wait for the agreed salary adjustment but is insistent on the upfront bonus payment.

Benfica manager Marco Silva has publicly reassured supporters about the renewal, noting that Prestianni is already contracted until 2029 and is happy at the club. The winger has flourished under Silva's management, playing in his preferred left-wing position after previous managers used him on the right or through the middle.

Despite interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Brighton, Prestianni reportedly wants to stay and fight for the Portuguese title this season.

With several European clubs positioning themselves for a potential January approach, Benfica will want to resolve the payment dispute quickly to secure the renewal.