Deal done! Porto beat Sporting to league goalkeeper signing | OneFootball

It’s a done deal. Porto have secured the signing of João Afonso, Santa Clara’s goalkeeper, who had been closely monitored by several Portuguese clubs, including Sporting. The Dragons managed to gain the upper hand in the race for the 19-year-old player.

From Sporting’s side, the initial approach ultimately failed to produce results, since the offer submitted did not even reach the €1 million mark. The islanders’ board immediately rejected the move, basing its decision on the confidence it has in the young goalkeeper’s growth potential.

Porto, meanwhile, decided to significantly raise the stakes in the negotiations with a more structured and stronger offer, after an initial approach had also been turned down. André Villas-Boas is even said to have intervened directly in the process, contacting the president of the Azorean board, Bruno Vicintin, to present an offer of €2 million for 80 percent of the player’s economic rights.

The blue-and-white proposal also includes an additional package of up to €4 million in bonuses, dependent on the Portuguese under-18 international meeting individual and collective targets. The youngster is expected to sign for five seasons, that is, until 2031, and should begin his journey with Porto’s B team.

The goalkeeper earned playing time in the final stretch of the season with Santa Clara’s first team, starting in the matches against Nacional and Porto. In addition, he also made 23 appearances for the under-23 side and four matches at junior level.

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