Sporting lead race for Juan Jesus, Italian media claim | OneFootball

Juan Jesus may be closer to moving to Sporting. According to information reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Lions are currently leading the race to sign the experienced Brazilian centre-back, who will become a free agent after his contract with Napoli expires.

At 34, the player is preparing to bring his five-season spell with the Naples club to an end and is now looking for a new challenge in his career, where he can continue to compete regularly at the highest level. In that scenario, Sporting emerges as the strongest destination for the Brazilian international.

Juan Jesus’ possible arrival comes at a time when Sporting’s officials remain attentive to the market in order to strengthen several areas of Rui Borges’ squad. The experience accumulated by the defender over more than a decade on European football’s biggest stages is seen as one of the player’s main strengths.

If the transfer goes through, the centre-back will join the fifth club of his career. Before his spell at Napoli, Juan Jesus played for Internacional in Brazil, before moving to Italy, where he wore the shirts of Inter Milan and Roma before settling in Naples.

In the 2025/26 season, Juan Jesus - valued at €1.5 million - played 35 matches: seven in the Champions League, 24 in Serie A, two in the Coppa Italia and two in the Super Cup. In 2,407 minutes of playing time, he did not register any goals or assists.

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