Leonino exclusive - Rui Silva under threat, Sporting won't change; why | OneFootball

Sporting will not throw Diego Callai to the wolves despite Rui Silva’s less positive spell, Leonino has learned. The green-and-white structure continues to trust its usual starter and does not intend to change the plan mapped out for the young goalkeeper because of the current situation.

For now, the goalkeeping pecking order remains unchanged. Rui Silva is still Rui Borges’ number one, while João Virgínia remains the direct backup. At this stage, a possible move for another goalkeeper will only gain momentum if the former Everton player leaves Alvalade, a scenario that cannot be completely ruled out given the approaches he has been receiving.

With that in mind, Callai will not be promoted in haste to respond to any possible struggles from the Portugal international. Sporting’s decision-makers believe that placing the youngster immediately under first-team pressure could harm a development process that is still being handled with caution.

The intention instead is to find a solution that allows the 22-year-old goalkeeper to play regularly. At Alvalade, it is felt that Callai already has quality above Portugal’s second division, so a loan move to a higher competitive level remains a possibility in this transfer window.

Diego Callai is still seen as one for the future at Sporting. The goalkeeper is under contract until June 2030 and has an €80 million release clause, but the SAD would rather give him room to develop than turn him into an immediate solution because of Rui Silva’s current situation.

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