Ederson and Victor Lindelof are latest Benfica stars to leave for mega money — Portuguese giants have made £400MILLION from selling to likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid

BENFICA’S losses are more often than not a top European team’s gains.

Every summer, the world’s biggest sides seem to improve by bringing in a player from the Portuguese champions.

In 2017-18, Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich could all have former Benfica players in their squads.

Keep up to date with Benfica news, gossip and transfers on our club page

Since 2010, the Primeira Liga giants have made one big sale every summer.

Here is an XI of players — with three subs — who have left the Estadio da Luz in the past seven years, totalling a staggering £394.47MILLION.

Goalkeeper

Ederson to Manchester United, 2017 — £32.6m

Uncapped Brazilian became the most-expensive goalkeeper in football history when he joined City this summer.

Pep Guardiola decided to pay big money in an attempt to solve the club’s biggest problem position.

Ederson impressed at Benfica last season, and City reportedly beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona to sign the 23-year-old.

Defence

Victor Lindelof to Manchester United, 2017 — £30.7m

Another to leave the Portuguese capital this summer, and another of whom big things are expected.

Few had even heard of Lindelof until United registered their interest in January — and soon all of Europe’s big guns were sniffing around.

Jose Mourinho finally got his man as the ball playing centre-half became the Red Devils’ first signing of 2017.

David Luiz to Chelsea, 2011 — £22m

Carlo Ancelotti was the first Blues boss to bring the eccentric Brazilian to Stamford Bridge — with Nemanja Matic going the other way on top of the £22m.

Luiz produced moments of magic, but his flamboyant style allowed for far too many mistakes, and he joined PSG for £50m in 2014.

Last summer, he made his Chelsea return and was named in the PFA Team of the Year as his impressive performances helped the Blues win the title.

Fabio Coentrao to Real Madrid, 2011 — £26.45m

Another Mourinho signing.

Coentrao won the La Liga title in his first campaign, but gradually started to play less season-by-season.

Has an incredible record of winning a major trophy every 8.3 games — and is expected to join Sporting Lisbon this summer.

Midfield

Nemanja Matic to Chelsea, 2014 — £22m

Mourinho made the bold decision of paying out a large sum to bring a player back to a club who had let him go for free — he surely wouldn’t do that twice!

Matic’s arrival proved a masterstoke and helped the club win the Premier League title.

The Serb is still at Chelsea, but has been tipped to join his former boss at United.

Axel Witsel to Zenit St Petersburg, 2012 — £35.27m

One of the most sought-after players in Europe following an impressive period in the Portuguese capital, but it was Zenit who stumped up the cash.

Witsel continued to impress in Russia and looked set to earn a move to Juventus.

However, eventually he decided to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian.

Renato Sanches to Bayern Munich, 2016 — £70.5m

Golden Boy and Euro 2016 Young Player of the Tournament-winner moved to the Bundesliga for an initial £30m — which could more than double with add-ons.

Sanches came close to joining United following his eye-catching performances at Benfica.

However, his move to Bayern doesn’t seem to have worked out and he does not appear to feature in Ancelotti’s plans.

Lazar Markovic to Liverpool, 2014— £22m

Arrived at Anfield having won a league title in each of his three seasons as a professional footballer.

But his move soon proved to be a disaster and he only spent one campaign as a Reds player.

Is still contracted to Liverpool, but is now at Hull — his third loan spell in two seasons.

Attack

Goncalo Guedes to Paris Saint-Germain, 2017 — £22m

Will turn 21 in November — and is tipped as a star for the future.

Guedes is another targeted by United, but PSG won the bidding war.

Hasn’t shone in the French capital, but will surely improve.

Rodrigo to Valencia, 2015 — £26.45m

A former Bolton loanee, he netted 45 goals in three seasons with Benfica.

Big things were expected of the former Real Madrid academy player, but his career has stagnated a little since earning a big-money move to Valencia on the back of an impressive loan spell.

Rodrigo has not earned a cap for Spain since 2014 and scored just seven goals in 42 games last season.

Angel Di Maria to Real Madrid, 2010 — £29.1m

Showed he was a world-beater when he produced a wonderful display as Benfica smashed Everton for five in the Europa League in 2009.

Di Maria was another Mourinho signing and showed his worth at Real Madrid by remaining an integral part despite the constant influx of top talent.

His final game was a man-of-the-match performance to win the Champions League before joining United for £59m in 2014.

Subs

Jan Oblak to Atletico Madrid, 2014 — £14m

Oblak was loaned out three times before nailing down a first team place in 2013.

But he only made 16 league appearances.

Now one of the best goalkeepers in world football after starring for Atletico.

Ramires to Chelsea, 2010 — £19.4m

Ancelotti’s sole signing in the summer of 2010 — and he certainly proved a worthwhile investment.

Scored a memorable goal in the 2012 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, despite knowing he would miss the final through suspension.

Chelsea made a profit when Ramires moved to Jiangsu Suning for £25m in 2016.

Nicolas Gaitan to Atletio Madrid, 2016 — £22m

A player constantly linked to United finally left the Estadio da Luz last season.

The quick winger was a Benfica icon, having been at the club for six years — despite overseas interest.

It hasn't quite worked out for Gaitan at Atletico, but he is certainly an important squad member.