Benfica have reached an agreement to sign Real Madrid striker Raul de Tomas, according to a report in Marca.
It follows from an earlier report in Diario AS that the Portuguese champions have upped their offer to €20m while Madrid have tailed back from their initial asking price of €35m to just €25m.
Benfica club president Luis Filipe Vieira reportedly was in the Spanish capital on Monday to finalise negotiations, with an announcement imminent.
The 24-year-old netted 14 La Liga goals in 32 starts on loan at Rayo Vallecano this season but it was not enough to save the side from relegation back to the second tier.
It has also stated by O Jogo that Benfica’s main title rivals Porto are also keen on the Spanish striker, who is said to be in high demand.
A previous report in Marca stated there had previously been reported interest in him from Real Betis and Valencia, however the Madrid native is reported to be keen to stay in the Spanish capital.
“My aim is to try to continue playing in La Liga,” De Tomas explained in an interview with Marca.
“Maintaining many years in the elite is the most important thing and I hope I can continue playing at this level for many years.
“I’m ready to play for Real Madrid, the only thing I have to say is that I have to return because I have a contract and what has to happen will happen.
“Zidane was my idol and in his day I noticed pressure training at his orders but you learn from everything. From everything negative you can learn. I hope I can show Zidane who I am and everything goes well.
“There have been good moments and bad times. You learn from everything. Last year we (Rayo) went up and this year, quite the opposite. We have to learn and move forward.”
