Sporting steps up squad revamp, Varandas readies more signings | OneFootball

Sporting continue to take an extremely active approach in the transfer market and, after practically finalizing the midfield for next season, the SAD led by Frederico Varandas is now preparing to target other positions considered a priority. At this stage, the defensive and attacking flanks are the areas raising the most doubts in Rui Borges’ squad.

The club’s hierarchy have already secured the arrival of Pedro Lima, signed from AVS SAD for €4 million, with the deal potentially rising to €6 million through objectives. In addition to the Brazilian midfielder, Issa Doumbia and Silas Andersen are also practically done deals, strengthening an area of the pitch that is expected to undergo major changes following the departure of Hidemasa Morita and the likely transfer of Morten Hjulmand.

Issa Doumbia is expected to be made official in the coming days or even hours, after Sporting reached an agreement with Venezia for a deal worth around €20 million, a figure that could rise to €26 million through objectives. Silas Andersen, meanwhile, is expected in Lisbon in the coming days to undergo medical tests and sign a five-season contract.

João Palhinha could also be added to the list of midfield reinforcements. The Portugal international is not part of Bayern Munich’s plans for next season, and Sporting are closely monitoring the situation of their former player. One option on the table is another loan move, this time with an obligatory purchase clause, in a scenario considered financially affordable by the green-and-white officials.

With the middle of the park practically settled, attention is now turning to the flanks. Geovany Quenda has already been sold to Chelsea and is unlikely to be the only player to leave Alvalade this summer. Maxi Araújo, Iván Fresneda, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves and Geny Catamo continue to attract strong interest from several European clubs.

Some of the signings made less than a year ago could also leave Sporting. Georgios Vagiannidis, Ricardo Mangas and Souleymane Faye have not fully convinced the club’s hierarchy, and a loan or permanent transfer is being considered for all three players, in an attempt to recover part of the investment made.

Among the players expected to stay and take on a bigger role are Salvador Blopa, Nuno Santos, Luís Guilherme and Rodrigo Zalazar. The academy graduate is expected to join the first team more regularly, while Nuno Santos continues to recover from the serious injury he suffered last season.

Rodrigo Zalazar, meanwhile, arrives at Alvalade as one of Sporting’s marquee bets for 2026/27. The Uruguay international cost €30 million from Braga, making him one of the most expensive transfers in Portuguese football history, and he is expected to play an important role in the new attacking dynamic designed by Rui Borges for next season.

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