Latest Portuguese-related transfer news from across the continent
A look at the transfer news of the last few days relating to Portuguese football.
Starting with the arrivals at Benfica, Carlos Vinicius was today announced as the latest acquisition at the Portuguese champions, who have shown no reservations about spending some of the money brought in by the sale of Joao Felix.
He follows Raul de Tomas to the club, signing for 17 million euros from Napoli on a 5 year contract with a release clause of 100 million euros.
Meanwhile, Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin was expected to also be joining Benfica, signing for 15 million euros, and even travelled to Lisbon to complete all the formalities to make that move permanent.
However, Perin ultimately failed his medical, currently harbouring an injury, and it is understood that that deal has at least been delayed until December.
Meanwhile, at FC Porto, there is something of a rebuilding project underway, having already lost the likes of Eder Militao, Felipe, Hector Herrera and Yacine Brahimi this summer. Their bid to put together a competitive squad for the new campaign has already begun, promoting youth players such as Romario Baro and Fabio Silva to the first team squad and completing the signing of Ze Luis and Shoya Nakajima too.
However, they are still looking to strengthen further, and continue in their pursuit to sign PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. They are looking to complete the signing of the German international this summer with Iker Casillas’ future in doubt, and have made a proposal of 6 million euros.
There were also suggestions that Falcao could return to FC Porto this summer, though those reports are deemed wide of the mark.
At Sporting, there is great excitement over the imminent arrival of highly-rated 18-year old star Thiago Almada. The attacker is currently on the books of Velez, and Manchester City and Sporting are looking to sign the hot prospect together, combining forces to bring him to Europe.
He is set to play in Portugal next season, signing for a fee of 16 million euros - his termination fee.
In terms of outgoings from Portugal, Benfica could be set to sell one player, a long, drawn-out transfer saga potentially coming to an end as Al-Hilal agree to buy Andre Carrillo for 9 million euros. Benfica would retain 70% of his future sell-on fee.
Sporting’s Andre Geraldes is then expected to be loaned out to Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv, the 28-year old having spent last season out on loan at Gijon.
Outside of Portugal, free agent Miguel Veloso has found a new club, signing for Italian side Hellas Verona. The 53-time Portugal international was without a club after his contract with Genoa came to an end at the start of the month.
Former Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira has also completed a move of his own, the Portuguese international being the latest player to join the Portuguese contingent in Greece, joining Miguel Cardoso’s AEK Athens.
Former Benfica and Sporting left-back Fabio Coentrao has also been expected to be moving to Greece to link up with Abel Ferreira’s PAOK, having even travelled to the country to complete the remaining formalities, though there has still been no official confirmation or announcement.
Kevin Trapp. Photo author: Granada. License link.
