Swansea City’s season has been incredibly mixed, and Vitor Matos is preparing to begin his first pre-season at the club.He took over the dugout at Com Stadium in November, replacing Alan Sheehan.

Given that Matos became the Swans’ third manager of 2025 with his arrival, it’s no surprise that the South Wales side is expected to finish mid-table in this season’s Championship, with the hope of moving up to the play-off positions in the future under the former Liverpool coach.

Having said that, the Portuguese side has shown encouraging signs in recent weeks, taking five points from nine available after the campaign’s final international break, including a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last time out, following entertaining draws against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough over Easter.

As a result, Swansea are now 14th in the second tier standings with four games remaining, having amassed 57 points, implying that their play-off chances were practically dashed some time ago, despite the fact that they might theoretically score more points than Hull City.

The Swans have also had a mixed season in terms of goals scored and conceded, with only 50 goals in 42 matches played so far, whereas Leicester have a better amount despite being in the relegation zone.

As a result, it begs the question of how the Welsh side’s season would have evolved without the heroics of Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik, but that is a scenario that is becoming increasingly real in the thoughts of some ahead of next season, with another team now vying for his services.

Benfica gives Coventry City and Ipswich Town a new challenge in the fight for Swansea City hotshot Zan Vipotnik.

With only four games remaining, the 23-year-old and 24-time Slovenian international is the Championship’s top scorer, with 21 goals in 40 appearances.

With the summer transfer window only a few weeks away, it has been revealed that Portuguese giants Benfica are considering a bid for Vipotnik’s services.

That is according to Glorioso 1904, a Lisbon-based outlet, yet it has been suggested that the side headed by ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager José Mourinho may only sign Vipotnik under one condition.

The striker is reported to have a profile that appeals to Mourinho, considering his goalscoring record for the Swans and previous clubs such as Bordeaux and NK Maribor, where he was managed by Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic.

However, Benfica has claimed that they are unwilling to pay a huge number of money in this potential deal because Vipotnik is now playing in the Championship.

This follows a recent story from Football Insider, which said Swansea had placed a £15 million valuation on their prized asset amid interest from Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Leeds United.

European football might perhaps lure Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik to Benfica.

At this stage of the season, Vipotnik has demonstrated that he is a cut above many divisional teammates in the striking department, and it is no wonder that a multitude of clubs are still monitoring his situation.

However, the Swans are clearly in a strong bargaining position, having agreed to a new contract with the forward until the summer of 2030 last month, implying that they could command more than the valuation they have reportedly set, while Matos has made his feelings on the situation abundantly clear.

However, Benfica’s interest in Vipotnik may be detrimental to the likes of Coventry and Ipswich, especially when considering the opportunity to compete in European competition next season, with ‘O Glorioso’ currently third in Liga Portugal on 69 points despite not losing a league match this season, which would guarantee them a minimum spot in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds.