FC Porto bolster midfield with Fofana, now target Milan's Giménez | OneFootball

Seko Fofana is returning to the Dragão. FC Porto have reached an agreement with Rennes for the midfielder’s return, one of the key figures in last season’s title-winning campaign. The Ivory Coast international, who quickly won over the fans with his competitive attitude and decisive ability, returns on a one-season loan, with no costs attached to the deal, in a move advantageous to Porto’s SAD.

The deal was made possible largely by the player’s desire to represent FC Porto again. At Rennes, Fofana was earning around six million euros gross per year, a figure incompatible with the dragons’ current financial reality. Even so, his wish to work again with Francesco Farioli and the bond created during his previous spell at the club were decisive.

To make the return possible, the midfielder accepted a significant pay cut, allowing FC Porto to fit his wages within the salary cap set by the club.

The signing also comes as a response to Rodrigo Mora’s departure to AS Roma. Faced with the transfer of the young player, Farioli saw Fofana as the right profile to preserve balance and attacking intensity in midfield. The Italian coach will therefore have at his disposal a footballer familiar with the club and with Portuguese football, with no need for an adaptation period.

The Ivorian’s previous spell at the Dragão remains fresh in the fans’ memory. Fofana arrived in January and brought greater physical intensity and an ability to get into the box to Porto’s midfield, qualities that, in some matches, made it possible to give Froholdt a rest.

Among his standout moments was one of the decisive goals in the run to the title: the strike that secured a 2-1 win in Braga, an important result in regaining top spot in the standings.

With Fofana’s return, FC Porto add experience and quality to the squad while also bringing back a player already familiar with the club’s reality. The midfielder matches the profile wanted by Francesco Farioli and could be an option for the upcoming Portuguese League matchdays after completing his medicals and joining training at Olival.

Santiago Giménez expected to complete the squad

With the signing of an important piece for midfield settled, FC Porto’s SAD is now focusing its efforts on bringing in a striker. The chosen one is expected to be Mexico international Santiago Giménez, a Milan player who will not be part of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim’s plans.

The striker is said to have already approved the move to the Portuguese champions and is waiting in Italy for FC Porto and Milan to reach an agreement over a loan. The deal is expected to include a purchase option for a high fee. Giménez cost the Italian club 30 million euros, but several injuries hampered his performances in Serie A. The project presented by the dragons appealed to the player, who wants to relaunch his career in Portugal and return to competing in the Champions League.

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