FC Porto loanees send mixed signals, with a return on the cards | OneFootball

FC Porto are enjoying an almost “immaculate” start to the 2026/27 season, with eight wins in nine matches. The only exception came in the Champions League, where the Dragons lost 0-2 to Manchester City. Even so, the structure led by André Villas-Boas remains attentive to the situation of the players loaned out to other clubs.

Among the seven players out on loan, Tomás Pérez is the one facing the most delicate situation. The Argentine midfielder has seen little action at Atlético Mineiro and everything points to him being “sent back” to the national champions next January, when his loan ends.

Not every case, however, is a cause for concern. Some players are showing promising signs at their current clubs, looking to earn a chance to return to the Estádio do Dragão or, alternatively, secure a permanent transfer.

Tomás Pérez faces a difficult situation

Signed from Newell’s Old Boys in January 2025, Tomás Pérez was unable to establish himself under either Martín Anselmi or Francesco Farioli. In February, he ended up joining Atlético Mineiro on loan, in a deal that includes a €5.5 million purchase option.

That possibility, however, is unlikely to materialise. The Argentine has lost ground in Eduardo Domínguez’s plans and, since August, has featured in only two of the 13 matches played: he came on at half-time in the goalless draw against Internacional and played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Vitória.

The loan agreement runs until 31 December, while his contract with FC Porto is valid until June 2029. Unless there is a significant change in the situation, the player is expected to “return to base”, although he could be loaned out again given the competition in Porto’s midfield.

Iván Jaime and other loanees show positive signs

Iván Jaime made the best possible start to his spell at Las Palmas by scoring on his debut against Girona, despite the 5-2 defeat. That performance earned him a place in the starting line-up for the two matches before the international break: the 1-0 win over Cádiz and the 2-1 loss to Burgos.

Gonçalo Sousa has also established himself in Kocaelispor’s starting eleven, recording two assists in seven appearances. Leonardo Vonic is not yet a guaranteed presence at Moreirense, but he has shown promising signs, with one goal and one assist in the two matches in which he was used by Vasco Botelho da Costa.

Three players are looking for more minutes

Felipe Silva is the only one of the seven FC Porto players out on loan who has yet to be used, and he is still waiting for an opportunity at Casa Pia. Diogo Fernandes is in a similar situation, having played only in Amarante’s 2-0 win over Ponte da Barca in the Portuguese Cup.

Gabriel Brás, meanwhile, has had limited involvement at NEC. The Dutch club have played 12 matches since the start of the season, but the defender has featured in only three: he started in the draws against Excelsior and Go Ahead Eagles and came off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord.

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