Cole Bassett primed to join Benfica this summer

Cole Bassett is set to join Portuguese giants Benfica this summer, 90min understands.

The 20-year-old midfielder has attracted European interest for some time after spending extended periods training with the likes of Arsenal, Freiburg and Hoffenheim in the past.

MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert revealed on Wednesday that Colorado Rapids had rejected an offer for Bassett from a Dutch club, but that talks were ongoing with a 'top' Portuguese club.

A source has revealed to 90min that 'top' club is in fact Benfica.

Though he is uncapped at senior international level, Bassett was called into Gregg Berhalter's squad for a game against El Salvador in December 2020 but was an unused substitute as the United States won 6-0 in Florida.

The Littleton-born midfielder already has 55 regular-season appearances under his belt in MLS scoring 11 goals - including three in 15 appearances in the current campaign - and was number seven on MLS' "22 under 22" ranking last season, just ahead of Ezequiel Barco and fellow USMNT prospects, Gianluca Busio and Daryl Dike.

Should Bassett get his move to the Lisbon giants - who have been crowned Portuguese champions a record 37 times - he would be the second homegrown player to leave the Rapids for Europe this summer, alongside left-back Sam Vines who has joined Belgian side Antwerp on a three-year deal.