Villas-Boas: Without Dragon Notes, Porto wouldn’t be a members’ club | OneFootball

André Villas-Boas expressed confidence in FC Porto's financial trajectory during the presentation of the dragons' accounts, this Wednesday at the Dragon Stadium. In praising the work of the financial teams, the president also spoke about future investments and departures from the squad, underlining the role of the Dragon Notes operation – placement of 115 million euros in bonds in the United States market, maturing in 25 years and an annual coupon of 5.62% – in the economic health of the society.

Financial report 2024/25: “It's a profound transformation in terms of management, finances, highly linked to the operations we've done, namely Dragon Notes, Ithaka, and sales. FC Porto could not have financially restructured if it hadn't carried out these operations, namely the one of 115 million euros, which may also have had an impact on the sports plan. Our financial teams have done a remarkable job and when we see the projections for 2025/26 there is an optimistic perspective. Also, thank the members for the respect they have shown for the club, the administration, and this without any membership recruitment campaign. It's organic. We could think that the growth of membership could be linked to the April 2024 elections, but it's already evident that it's not, that there is this desire from the fans to become members.”

High Performance Centre: “The lands were purchased and we are in the licensing phase. Everything is regular. FC Porto will have to decide what the financial vehicle is, whether it seeks a partnership or builds with its own funds. After licensing, we will have a year and a half to two years of construction ahead.”

Investment capacity in January: “We have a balanced squad, but unfortunately it has been suffering some injuries, a traumatic one from De Jong and another long-term one from Nehuén Pérez. It's not impossible that we think about reinforcing a central in January, purchase or loan, but it's something to decide with the coach. The financial results also had a very significant impact from the last January market, which allowed this construction of a new FC Porto squad.”

Future sales in the same order of values: “There is an increase in the value of the players' passes, with the majority at 100%. The most important thing for FC Porto is not only to reach the title and enter the Champions League, but it must always be well in the market and become sustainable. FC Porto now has quality players who in reality can be courted by other clubs.”

More cautious measures in the future market: “I can't make futurology to 2028, how FC Porto will operate when we don't know what it will be like in terms of television rights, what it will be like in terms of the Champions League... FC Porto has the responsibility of the Dragon Notes, but without it FC Porto would not be at this moment a club of the members as it is and as we want it to be forever. There is a commitment associated with this operation, for 25 years, that we want to fulfill, as we want to fulfill all our commitments.”

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