Portuguese Soccer News

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The Portugal Report 024

Edition 024 – August 3, 2023

The Summer Transfer Market Part 1

Benfica acquire midfielder Orkun Kokcu from Feyenoord for €25M and sign him for five seasons

Cristiano Ronaldo says he has no plans to return to Europe and that the Saudi League is better then Major League Soccer

Saudi Pro League attracts Portuguese talent

Sporting make host of moves ahead of new season

Angel di Maria makes hero’s return to Benfica

The Saudi Pro League continues to throw its money around as it has attracted a host of Portuguese talent from players to coaches so far this summer. Jorge Jesus has returned to manage Al-Hilal while Luis Castro left first place side Botafogo in Brazil to take over Al Nassr in which he has Cristiano Ronaldo at his disposal. Jesus is said to be set to earn €10M per season, while Castro is set to earn a reported €7.5m. Last seasons league champions Al-Ittihad who are also currently managed by a Portuguese in Nuno Espirito Santo got into the mix by adding forward Jota from Celtic for a reported €29.1M and will pay him €11.6M per season. The last Portuguese player to move to the Saudi League at this point in the summer was Wolverhampton midfielder Ruben Neves who was acquired for €55M by Al-Hilal and is set to earn €20M this season.
Sporting have made some big moves after missing out on the lucrative Champions League this season, already racking up an impressive €111M in player sales in the first month of the summer transfer window. Sporting sent midfielder Manuel Ugarte to PSG for €60M while right back Pedro Porro who joined Tottenham on loan in January had his mandatory buy clause of €40M become official. Sporting have also made some minor sales, receiving €8M for striker Tiago Tomas from Wolfsburg and €3M for midfielder Arthur from Cruzeiro. Sporting was not only busy selling this summer as they set a club record when they acquired striker Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City for €20M, while also paying €7M for winger Trincao making his loan move from Barcelona last season permanent. Barcelona will also receive 50% of any future sale by Sporting.
Angel di Maria made his return to Benfica after leaving thirteen summers ago to join Real Madrid in a shocking move that showed the club and fans nothing but love from the 35 year old who arrived on a free transfer after spending last season with Juventus. Di Maria snubbed a host of clubs to return to Lisbon and will provide Benfica with some more fire power up front for the upcoming season. Di Maria’s time away from Benfica saw him play at some of Europe’s top clubs with stops at Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and Juventus. Di Maria captured the 2013/14 Champions League while at Real Madrid and followed that up with a Copa America win in 2021 with Argentina and World Cup glory in 2022. Di Maria signed with Benfica for just one season as both sides will see how the 2023/24 campaign plays out.

Portuguese League teams season transfers to date

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Braga brings home set of Luso players

Braga has brought home a trio of Portuguese players this summer as they strive to make Portugal the BIG 4. Braga triggered the buy clause on last season loanee Bruma’s deal for €6.5M, while adding veteran center back Jose Fonte and winger Rony Lopes on free transfers.

Roma hoping to bring in Renato Sanches

Jose Mourinho’s Roma side are currently in talks with PSG about a Renato Sanches loan move to the Italian capital. Mourinho has always been a big fan of Sanches and a move for the 25 year old might be a breathe of fresh air after suffering an injury plagued first season in Paris.

Joao Cancelo still searching for club

Joao Cancelo who looks to not have a place with Man. City after a falling out last season is still looking for a club after his €70M buy clause was not activated by Bayern Munich during his loan spell in the second half of the season. Barcelona are said to be interested in his services.

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