Botafogo has turned down a €35 million proposal from Benfica for Argentina international Thiago Almada, according to reports from Italy-based transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio. Sources close to the negotiations say the Portuguese club is weighing a second bid of about €40 million to secure the 24-year-old playmaker, who joined the Rio de Janeiro side only last year. In a separate move on the same day, Olympique de Marseille formally offered €28 million to Feyenoord for Brazilian winger Igor Paixão. The Dutch champions have not yet responded to the Ligue 1 club’s opening gambit, which follows coach Roberto De Zerbi’s call for fresh attacking options after Luis Henrique’s departure to Inter Milan. Paixão, 25, produced 16 goals and 10 assists in the Eredivisie last season.