Benfica advance talks for Alessandro Circati after agreement with Parma defender

Benfica are in advanced talks with Parma over a move for Alessandro Circati after reaching an agreement with the Australia international over personal terms.

The Portuguese club have stepped up their pursuit of the 22-year-old centre-back as they look to add another defensive option before the end of the summer window. Sky Sport Italia reports that negotiations between Benfica and Parma are under way, although a gap remains between the clubs and no final agreement has yet been reached.

Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Circati has already agreed terms with Benfica, leaving the two clubs to negotiate the conditions of a potential transfer. Talks are described as advanced, but the deal remains incomplete and neither Parma nor Benfica have announced an agreement.

There is also growing confidence around the negotiations in Portugal. A BOLA independently reports that the discussions have reached an advanced stage and that there are positive prospects of finding common ground with Parma. Benfica turned their attention to Circati while assessing alternatives at centre-back during the closing weeks of the market.

Circati has become one of Parma’s most established young players since progressing through the club’s system. He made 33 appearances last season and also strengthened his international profile with Australia at the 2026 World Cup, adding another layer of experience to a defender who is still only 22.

Parma are in a relatively strong negotiating position. Circati signed a contract extension in February 2025 that runs until June 2029, meaning the Serie A club are under no contractual pressure to accept a deal below their valuation.

The relationship between the two clubs’ decision-makers has also attracted attention. Benfica president Rui Costa and Parma owner Kyle Krause were pictured sitting together during Benfica’s match against Casa Pia on Monday, although there has been no suggestion from either club that their meeting produced a final agreement over Circati.

For Benfica, the next stage is therefore straightforward but potentially decisive: converting their agreement with the player into an agreement with Parma.

Circati has given the move his approval and negotiations are progressing, but until the clubs settle the financial terms, the Australia international remains a Parma player and the transfer should not yet be treated as complete.