Zekri no longer alone: Sporting get green light for veteran target | OneFootball

Moncef Zekri remains one of the strongest possibilities to strengthen the left side of Sporting’s defense, but the board has yet to make a final decision. The Lions have a bid of between €3 million and €4 million ready for the young Mechelen player, although another option has gained momentum.

According to the newspaper A Bola, it is a more experienced full-back who initially seemed out of reach for the green and whites. In recent days, however, indications reportedly reached Alvalade that his club is willing to negotiate a transfer, prompting the structure to reassess its options.

Zekri remains very highly rated. At 17, the Morocco under-17 international has already made 20 appearances for Mechelen’s first team, 14 of them as a starter, and is under contract until 2028. He was left out of the second round of the Belgian league, with the coach merely explaining that he was “unavailable.”

Sporting’s main doubt concerns the future. In addition to an immediate alternative to Maxi Araújo, the board wants to sign someone capable of taking over as first choice if the Uruguayan is transferred next summer. There is some concern that Moncef Zekri, then only 18, may not yet be ready to take on that role on his own.

The Moroccan has not, however, been ruled out. Sporting is still considering making a move for the youngster, knowing that, if Maxi leaves, they can always return to the market for a more established option if Zekri still needs time to develop. The final decision is expected to come down to choosing between the potential of the Mechelen player and a more experienced short-term solution.

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