Benfica coach Rui Vitoria is crossing his fingers that the club can negotiate a contract extension with Nicolas Gaitan, a player he feels is "essential" to the Lisbon outfit.
Gaitan, who has a release clause set at €35m in his current contract, was strongly linked with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Valencia over the summer transfer window.
But the Argentine stayed put at the Estadio da Luz and now Benfica are looking to tie him down to a fresh deal, something Vitoria hopes they succeed in doing.
"Gaitan's renewal is something beyond my duties", the coach was quoted as saying by A Bola.
"He is firmly rooted in this club, part of our family and it's good to have a player like him", Vitoria added.
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"He's essential to Benfica."
The 27-year-old linked up with Benfica from Boca Juniors in 2010 and despite regularly being tipped to move on has remained at the Portuguese giants.
Gaitan has collected two Primeira Liga titles, one Portuguese Cup, four Portuguese League Cups and one Portuguese Super Cup at the club, as well as helping Benfica reach two Europa League finals.
