Portuguese club, Benfica could block the much-publicised transfer of Nigeria international Taye Taiwo to Italian champions AC Milan as he was said to have signed a pre-contract with the top Portuguese club.

Taiwo, 26, is a free agent in the summer after he refused to renew his contract with French club Olympique Marseille, but a source  has  revealed  that Benfica had already tied the former Lobi Stars ace to a pre-contract before Milan even came into the picture.

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“It’s really left to be seen what would become of the pre-contract Taiwo signed with Benfica,”informed a source, who was privy to the Benfica interest.

“Would they agree for Milan to buy them out or will they insist the player honour his side of the deal as stipulated in the contract?”

The source further said,: “This is the biggest deal involving a Nigerian player since Mikel moved to Chelsea, but because of the Benfica pre-contract, you could see that Taiwo has not been all that forthcoming about his switch to Milan.

“He is very mindful of the agreement he has in place with Benfica.”

The Nigeria international became one of the most sought after players in Europe once he made it public that he would not extend his six-season stay at Marseille.

Spanish media reports linked him with Real Madrid and another top source informed that there was a serious interest in the defender by “a top German club”.

Taiwo is believed to have bagged a three-year contract with newly crowned Italian champions Milan despite his earlier commitment to Benfica.