Gonçalo Inácio under threat? €21m signing gains ground at Sporting | OneFootball

Ibrahima Ba is very close to returning to Rui Borges' options. The Senegalese centre-back still worked in the gym as Sporting returned to training, but he is expected to recover in time for the trip to Famalicão and could even be back on the pitch as early as this Friday.

According to newspaper A Bola, the 21-year-old defender is still seen as a serious candidate for a starting spot in the heart of defence. Ba has only played one match since arriving at Alvalade, against Alverca, but he showed promising signs before being held back by a minor traumatic injury.

The centre of defence is expected to be rotated throughout the season, with Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio and Ba competing for two places. The Senegalese player is gaining ground at a time when the 'number 25' has been performing below his usual level, although the new signing can also play on the right side.

Signed from Famalicão for €21.25 million, Ibrahima Ba put pen to paper until 2031 and was protected by an €80 million release clause at Sporting. His former club also retained the right to 10% of the capital gain from any future transfer.

The defender arrived at Alvalade after Ousmane Diomande's departure to Nottingham Forest and following a failed deal with Strasbourg. After undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his right knee at the end of last season, he needed a period of muscle strengthening, but he is now once again close to coming into Rui Borges' plans.

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