Rio Ave's 23-year-old attacker, André Luiz, is nearing a move to Benfica and is expected to join the squad in January. Negotiations between the two clubs have advanced significantly for the Brazilian. He is a priority for the Lisbon club's winter transfer window, which aligns with manager José Mourinho's desire for more options on the wings. André Luiz has scored five goals in 16 games for Rio Ave this season and is a fast player who can operate on the flanks or through the center. The deal is in its final stages, with details of a long-term contract being discussed. The transfer is expected to involve a considerable cost. Recent reports from December 2025 state that Rio Ave has set an asking price of €15 million for the player. The winger has a current Transfermarkt market value of €4.00m and has provided six assists in 15 Liga Portugal appearances this season. He joined Rio Ave in January 2025 from Estrela Amadora for a reported fee of €2.2 million, and other clubs, including Olympique Marseille, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and Porto, have also been recently linked with him.