After Moncef Zekri, Sporting only return to the market in one scenario | OneFootball

Sporting are preparing to complete Rui Borges’ squad with the signing of a left-back. It will be their ninth arrival in this summer transfer window and, barring any unexpected departures, the last move planned by the club’s green-and-white hierarchy.

According to the newspaper A Bola, the need arose after Ricardo Mangas left for Monza. Maxi Araújo has renewed his contract until 2030 and remains the main option, but the board intends to sign a player with room to develop, someone capable of stepping in immediately when the Uruguayan is unavailable and of growing into a possible long-term successor.

So far, Sporting have invested around €120 million in eight new signings: Ibrahima Ba, Issa Doumbia, Pedro Lima, Silas Andersen, Sergi Altimira, Rodrigo Zalazar, Nestory Irankunda and Jesse Derry, the latter on loan from Chelsea.

After the arrival of the left-back, new signings will only be considered if there are unplanned departures. Pedro Gonçalves and Daniel Bragança are already expected to leave, unlike players such as Geny Catamo or João Virgínia, whose possible transfers could force the club to return to the market.

Moncef Zekri, 17, it seems, negotiations have progressed significantly over the last few hours and the Moroccan is all but signed.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.