Leonino exclusive - Sporting had €8m Prem full-back ready if Zekri failed | OneFootball

Julio Soler was Sporting’s main alternative to Moncef Zekri to strengthen the left side of Sporting’s defense, Leonino has learned. The Argentine full-back from Bournemouth was on the green-and-white club’s radar in case the deal for the young Moroccan ultimately fell through.

As our newspaper has learned, Sporting’s officials worked with more than one option to fill the gap left by Ricardo Mangas. Zekri was always the option that gathered the most momentum, but Soler was lined up as plan B should any definitive obstacle arise in negotiations with Mechelen.

The Bournemouth player is currently valued at €8 million, a figure considerably higher than the investment needed to secure Zekri. Even so, the Argentine’s profile appealed to Sporting’s hierarchy and was seen as a valid solution to increase Rui Borges’ options on the left flank.

Sporting SAD ultimately managed to complete the signing of Moncef Zekri, making it unnecessary to move forward with the alternative plan. The Moroccan was unveiled on Tuesday and will serve as an alternative to Maxi Araújo, in a move also planned with the medium and long term in mind.

As such, Julio Soler is not expected to join Sporting in this transfer window, but the interest shows that the Lions had prepared different scenarios for a position considered a priority. The final choice fell on Zekri, leaving the Bournemouth full-back as a backup option in case the first deal did not come to fruition.

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