Deadline Day: Sporting sign replacement for Raphinha
One goes out and one come in - Sporting have signed a replacement for the departing Raphina.
Raphinha, who had played all of Sporting’s games so far this season and scored twice in the process, has completed a move to French outfit Rennes for 20 million euros.
The 22-year old Brazilian right winger was seen as a key part of Sporting’s team, but was let go due to the player’s own wishes and the offer being deemed too good to turn down.
Sporting have already brought in a potential replacement for Raphinha though, bringing in fellow Brazilian winger Fernando on a season-long loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Fernando is just 20 years of age and has just 23 senior appearances to his name, but there are high hopes for the former Palmeiras winger, and could play a significant role for Sporting over the upcoming campaign.
He featured in 18 league matches for Shakhtar last season, while he also played 85 minutes of the Ukrainian’s clash with Manchester City in the Champions League, a match which Shakhtar ultimately lost 3-0.
