Chelsea Among Four European Giants Monitoring Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis Ahead of Potential Summer Transfer
Chelsea Football Club is reportedly one of four prominent European teams closely tracking the progress of Benfica’s in-form striker, Vangelis Pavlidis. This is according to recent media reports originating from Portugal. The Greek international is currently enjoying an exceptional run of form, having scored 17 goals in his last 17 appearances across all competitions—an achievement that has not gone unnoticed by major clubs.
Other Interested Clubs Include:
Newcastle United
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Each of these clubs is said to be conducting evaluations and internal discussions regarding the possibility of placing an official bid. However, they face a significant financial obstacle: Benfica are standing firm on Pavlidis’ release clause, which is set at a hefty €100 million (approximately £86 million). They are unlikely to consider any offers below that threshold.
Why Chelsea Are Paying Close Attention:
The West London side has struggled to find a reliable and consistent goal scorer throughout the current season. Despite considerable investment in other areas of the pitch, the lack of a clinical striker remains one of the key issues hampering their campaign. Pavlidis’ track record makes him an appealing solution to this ongoing problem.
Since arriving at Benfica from AZ Alkmaar for a transfer fee of €18 million last summer, Pavlidis has delivered an impressive return of 24 goals and 10 assists in 46 matches. His productivity isn’t a one-season wonder either—he previously netted 25, 22, and 33 goals in consecutive seasons while playing in the Dutch Eredivisie, demonstrating a remarkable level of consistency.
However, There Are Concerns:
Despite his prolific scoring history, Pavlidis has yet to compete in one of Europe’s elite leagues, commonly referred to as the “Top Five” (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1). This absence raises doubts about how well he would adapt to a more physically demanding and competitive environment, such as the English Premier League.
In addition, his international scoring record for Greece is less impressive—he has only scored 8 goals in 46 caps, which may indicate a potential struggle to perform at the highest level.
To complicate matters further, comparisons are being made with Sporting CP’s striker Viktor Gyökeres, who has already surpassed Pavlidis by scoring 20 more goals this season. Some critics believe Gyökeres offers a more proven and reliable option, especially for clubs in need of a top-level finisher.
The Ultimate Decision for Chelsea:
As the summer transfer window approaches, Chelsea must decide whether they are willing to invest nearly £86 million in a player who, while talented and consistent in less competitive leagues, remains untested at the very top level of European football or international tournaments.
Will the Blues take a calculated risk on Pavlidis in hopes that he can become their long-awaited No. 9, or will they redirect their attention to another target who has already proven their worth on bigger stages?
One thing is certain—this transfer saga is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines of the upcoming summer window.
