Sporting signing yet to play set for €80m release clause | OneFootball

Moncef Zekri will celebrate his 18th birthday with a new contract at Sporting. The left-back comes of age this Sunday, September 20, and will then extend his deal with the green and whites until June 2031.

According to newspaper A Bola, the new agreement is already prepared and only the formal signing remains. When he was unveiled as a Sporting signing on August 25, Zekri signed only until 2029, since he was still 17 and could not sign a contract lasting more than three seasons.

Once he turns 18, that limitation will no longer apply and the young Moroccan international will be tied to the Club for two more seasons. The release clause will remain set at €80 million.

Signed from Mechelen for €3 million, Zekri is seen by Sporting as both a player for the present and, above all, for the future. The plan is for him to develop during this season, with the possibility of taking on a bigger role on the left flank from 2027/28 onwards.

The young defender is expected to serve as the main alternative to Maxi Araújo, filling the spot left by Ricardo Mangas. The Uruguayan recently renewed his contract until 2030, but remains highly valued on the market, a scenario that increases the importance of preparing a long-term solution within the squad.

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