Gianluca Prestianni attracts Aston Villa interest as Benfica plan new deal

Aston Villa’s interest in Gianluca Prestianni reportedly stretches back to his time in Argentina, with Benfica now working to secure the winger on improved terms following his impressive development in Portugal.

Villa have scouted the 20-year-old this season, while Tottenham have also been monitoring him. Prestianni has scored eight goals and, according to the supplied reporting, leads the Portuguese league for both shots and successful dribbles.

However, A Bola reports that Aston Villa were already interested when Prestianni was playing for Vélez Sarsfield. Chelsea and West Ham were also keen, while Ajax and PSV followed his progress before Benfica eventually secured his signature.

Benfica had monitored Prestianni from the age of 16 before paying €9.5 million (£8.3m), including intermediary fees, to sign him in January 2024.

His early period in Lisbon was difficult. A Bola describes the young Argentine at the time as “immature and impatient”, and there were several opportunities for Benfica to move him elsewhere.

River Plate attempted to bring him back to Argentina in January 2025 and returned with further interest later that year, while Ajax also made an approach. Benfica considered both a loan and permanent departure in the summer of 2025 before deciding to keep him.

Trabzonspor then made a strong push this summer, but Benfica again resisted.

That patience is now being rewarded.

Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi are reported to have played important roles in helping their younger compatriot mature, both on and off the pitch. José Mourinho later worked on the tactical side of his development, including his defensive positioning and understanding of a zonal system.

Prestianni also faced controversy following Benfica’s Champions League meeting with Real Madrid, after which he was suspended for discriminatory language towards Vinícius Júnior. A Bola presents the subsequent scrutiny and reflection as another significant stage in his development.

Current Benfica manager Marco Silva has been particularly impressed by the winger’s attitude and application in training.

“What matters to me is that he keeps his focus on what got him to this point,” Silva said.

“If he’s playing the way he is, it’s because he worked. I’ve said more than once that he worked in an exemplary way from the first day, in his application, attitude and commitment to training.”

Silva added that Prestianni’s talent is now being supported by the work required away from matches, praising his professionalism despite his age.

Benfica are consequently looking to strengthen their position.

Prestianni’s current contract runs until 2029 and contains a €100m (£87m) release clause. Talks have taken place over extending that agreement until 2031 alongside a salary increase, although no agreement has yet been reached.

For Aston Villa, that could make a long-standing target increasingly difficult to acquire. The club knew about Prestianni before his move to Portugal and are now watching a considerably more established player whose value and importance to Benfica are rising.

Benfica’s priority is to turn Prestianni’s development into a longer-term commitment, with talks over an extension and improved salary already taking place.

No agreement has been reached, leaving his contractual situation worth monitoring while Aston Villa and Tottenham continue to scout him. His existing €100m release clause already gives Benfica a strong negotiating position.

For Villa, the key question will be whether their long-term admiration develops into a concrete transfer attempt. Having followed Prestianni since his Vélez days, they are familiar with his potential, but Benfica’s planned renewal could significantly strengthen the Portuguese club’s hand before any Premier League move.