Sporting lead race for Juan Jesus, Italian media say | OneFootball

Juan Jesus could be closer to moving to Sporting. According to information reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Lions are currently leading the race to sign the experienced Brazilian centre-back, who will become a free agent after his contract with Napoli expires.

At 34, the player is preparing to bring to an end a five-season spell with the Naples club and is now looking for a new challenge in his career, where he can continue to compete regularly at the highest level. In that scenario, Sporting emerges as the strongest destination to welcome the Brazil international.

Juan Jesus’ possible arrival comes at a time when Sporting’s officials remain attentive to the market in order to strengthen several areas of Rui Borges’ squad. The experience accumulated by the defender over more than a decade on the biggest stages of European football is seen as one of the player’s main assets.

If the transfer goes through, the centre-back will join the fifth club of his career. Before his spell at Napoli, Juan Jesus played for Internacional in Brazil, then moved to Italy, where he wore the shirts of Inter Milan and Roma before settling in Naples.

In the 2025/26 season, Juan Jesus - valued at €1.5 million - made 35 appearances: seven in the Champions League, 24 in Serie A, two in the Coppa Italia and two in the Super Cup. In 2,407 minutes played, he did not register any goals or assists.

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