Rui Borges on alert: Sporting have no full-back for Liga opener | OneFootball

Signing a left-back has become a matter of urgency for Sporting. Rui Borges will be unable to count on Maxi Araújo for the opening league match, against Estrela da Amadora on August 8, and Ricardo Mangas has already left Alvalade to join Monza.

The Uruguay international will have to serve a one-match suspension following the red card he received in the Portuguese Cup final. With no other natural option for the position, Sporting’s decision-makers intend to wrap up the process in the coming days.

The idea is to give the new signing time to work with the squad and absorb Rui Borges’ ideas before the official start of the season. The club’s structure is already assessing the shortlisted names to fill the vacancy on the left flank.

Sporting are looking for a player of a higher level than Ricardo Mangas, someone capable of replacing Maxi Araújo without causing a drop in the team’s performance. The signing should also allow the Uruguayan to be used further forward, as a left winger, whenever the coach sees fit.

The choice will also be made with the future in mind. The Lions want to sign a full-back with room for development, someone who can gain experience during the first season and be ready to take over as first choice when Maxi Araújo leaves Sporting.

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