Ruben Semedo heading out of Portugal, joining Portuguese contingent abroad

Ruben Semedo is set to leave Portugal with the inability to sign for one of Sporting’s rival clubs.

Both Braga and Porto were believed to be interested in the Portuguese centreback, but such a deal proved to be far from straightforward. That's because, back in 2017 when Ruben Semedo transferred to Villarreal from Sporting, an anti-rival clause was included in the deal.

Such a clause prevents Ruben Semedo from being able to sign for either of Sporting's major rival clubs, Benfica or Porto.

Were Villarreal to have sold Semedo to Porto, it is understood that they would then have to pay a fine of €45 million.

As a result, the Portuguese U21 international is set to move to a club outside of Portugal - and Greek reports are suggesting that he is very close to joining Olympiakos in the coming week.

Indeed, while Ruben Semedo’s first choice would be to continue in Portugal, the fact that none of the leading clubs in the country are able to sign him, a move to the Greek giants seems most likely.

Olympiakos are currently managed by Pedro Martins, the Portuguese coach joined at the club by a few compatriots, such as goalkeeper Jose Sa and winger Daniel Podence. Last season, both Roderick Miranda and Gil Dias were also at the club on loan.

Semedo has not gone without his controversies; after he was arrested for an altercation in Valencia, where he was accused of displaying a pistol in public, just a month later, he was making the headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again, arrested for a second time, this time for even more serious allegations, thought to have assaulted and tied up a man, keeping him captive in his house before then committing burglary on the victim’s home.

Ruben Semedo. Photo author:
Вячеслав Евдокимов. License link.