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

The signing of a winger for the left side of the attack has become Sporting’s main 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 the newspaper A Bola, the coach wants a different profile from the one Pedro Gonçalves has offered in recent years. Instead of a more link-up-oriented 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 exits, a scenario that increases the urgency to strengthen the attack.

The domestic market is virtually 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 arrive at Alvalade for 2026/27.

Despite the obstacles, Sporting’s decision-makers remain determined to sign 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.

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