Rui Borges rules out Pote-style signing, wants new winger at Sporting | OneFootball

Signing a winger for the left side of the attack has become Sporting’s top priority in this summer transfer window. The club’s board is focused on finding a player who offers pace, dribbling ability, and quality in one-on-one situations, traits Rui Borges considers essential for the new season.

According to newspaper A Bola, the coach wants a different profile from the one Pedro Gonçalves has offered in recent years. Instead of a more associative player with a tendency to drift into central areas, the idea is to sign a more explosive winger, capable of stretching the play, winning individual duels, and creating danger out wide.

The Sporting hierarchy had hoped to find those qualities in players such as Biel and Souleymane Faye, but neither managed to establish himself at Alvalade. In addition, both Pedro Gonçalves and Faye are still being linked with moves away, a scenario that increases the urgency to strengthen the attack.

The domestic market is practically out of Sporting’s plans, with the club looking for solutions abroad. Among the players who were considered were Yeremay, who is expected to remain in Spain, and Chiquinho. Only Jesse Derry appears to have moved forward - but only in the short term, since he will only be at Alvalade for 2026/27.

Despite the obstacles, Sporting’s decision-makers remain intent on signing two wingers. One of them will be the squad’s final major investment for 2026/27, depending on the sale of Pedro Gonçalves, while the other is expected to be a young player with room for development, ready to grow gradually under Rui Borges.

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