Francisco Trincão “very proud” to join Al-Ahli, as Samú Costa also set for Saudi move | OneFootball

Trincão is the latest Portuguese in Saudi [Getty Images]

Portugal international Francisco Trincão completed his move from Sporting to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli last weekend, signing a four-year contract in Jeddah.

Al-Ahli have paid €39.4m plus an additional €4.3m in potential add-ons to secure Trincão’s signature, meaning a potential total outlay of €43.7m for the Saudi side. With Sporting paying the 10% intermediaries fees, the Lions receive an initial total of €35.5m, which represents a slight profit on the €21m the Lions paid in stages to prize the winger from Barcelona.

"I’m very proud to join Al Ahli,” Trincão told the media in Saudi Arabia upon his presentation. “I understand the value, history, and fanbase of this great club. The passion of Al-Ahli supporters was one of the main reasons that encouraged me to take this step. I promise to fight alongside my teammates to achieve success and make the fans happy.”

During his four years at Alvalade, Trincão made 208 appearances, returning an impressive 47 goals, helping his team to two Primeira Liga titles as well as a Taça de Portugal in 2025. Although reports have long indicated Trincão was an inevitable departure this summer, some have suggested the fee is modest given the player’s importance and some of the much higher fees paid by Saudi clubs.

The deal means Sporting’s sales this close-season have surpassed the €100m mark, led by the loss of Morten Hjulmand to Atlético Madrid in a €40m deal. Sporting also sold Alisson Santos to Napoli for €16.5m and Diogo Travassos to Braga for €5.5m.

A summer of change at the Lisbon side has seen them busy in recruitment also, with €79.5m spent so far on Rodrigo Zalazar (€30m), Issa Doumbia (€20m), Sergi Altimira (€18.25m), Silas Andersen (€7.25m) and Pedro Lima (€4m). Jesse Derry, on loan from Chelsea without an option to buy, is another notable addition.

Samú Costa next in Saudi 

Fellow Portuguese international Samú Costa looks to be the next Seleção man headed to the Saudi Pro League, after his club Mallorca announced a deal has been reached to sell the midfielder to Al Nassr. The Spanish outfit confirmed that champions Al Nassr had beaten other contenders, such as RB Leipzig, to agree a transfer for the former Braga man.

Should the deal be finalised, Costa would link up with countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, who won the Pro League last season under the guidance of Jorge Jesus, before the veteran manager left to take over the Portugal national team.