The 25-year-old is thought to be frustrated at the Portuguese club, prompting the Premier League side to up their interest in the Brazilian, according to The Mirror.
It is understood that Benfica are willing to consider offers from a number of clubs in January, regarding a £4m switch or loan move.
Scottish outfit Celtic are also reportedly interested in the centre-back.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 11 | 18 | 35 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 31 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 29 |
| 4 | Manchester CityMan City | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 27 |
| 5 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 25 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 25 |
| 7 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 24 |
| 8 | Bournemouth | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 24 |
| 9 | Brentford | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 28 | 3 | 23 |
| 10 | Fulham | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 23 |
| 11 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 20 |
| 12 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 20 |
| 13 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 19 |
| 14 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 18 |
| 15 | Everton | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 14 |
| 16 | Leicester CityLeicester | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 14 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 13 |
| 18 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 9 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 38 | -15 | 9 |
| 20 | Southampton | 15 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 5 |
| > Premier League Full Table | |||||||||
