News wrap: Maxi completes Porto switch, William injured, Braga striker-less

News wrap: Maxi completes Porto switch, William injured, Braga striker-less

FC Porto continue to hog most of the headlines during the summer transfer market.

On the back of the audacious capture of Spain's national goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, the Dragons have completed the signing of ex Benfica right-back Maxi Pereira. 

Meanwhile, Sporting have been rocked by the news that midfield lynchpin William Carvalho will miss the opening months of the season. PortuGOAL rounds up the latest developments among the Primeira Liga's major clubs. 

Last week one subject dominated Portuguese football: the signing of multiple trophy-winning former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas by FC Porto. Judging by the stir the transfer caused in the national and international media, the arrival of the charismatic Spaniard will certainly help raise the profile of the Portuguese league.

Whether or not he will prove to be an astute addition to the squad from the football point of view, only time will tell. The 34-year-old's career appeared to be on the slide, but you could have said the same about Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César when he arrived at Benfica one year ago, and the former Inter Milan stopper (who like Casillas was considered the world's best goalkeeper in his heyday) went on to play a hugely important role in the Eagles' retention of their title. 

Such has been the hullabaloo surrounding Casillas that it needed something big to knock him off the front pages. Porto duly obliged with the acquisition of Uruguayan right-back Maxi Pereira from rivals Benfica. A stalwart and a magnificent servant of the Lisbon club over 8 seasons, Maxi's move up north is the second "defection" to a direct rival from Benfica's title-winning set-up, following on from coach Jorge Jesus's switch to neighbours Sporting

Maxi's move has drawn impassioned responses from Benfica fans, ranging from pure vitriol (a mock-up of the player being hanged was left at the Estádio da Luz yesterday) to more philosophical viewpoints, with many pointing out that his best years may now be behind him. The full-back turned 31 years old last month. 

William crocked

Sporting have suffered a blow ahead of the new season with the news that midfielder William Carvalho has a stress fracture in his tibia and will be out of action for at least 12 weeks. The club's star player will therefore miss the Super Cup season opener against Benfica, and more importantly, the Champions League play-off. 

News of the injury, sustained during the recent U21 European Championship in which Carvalho was elected the player of the tournament, triggered a furious reaction from Sporting. The Lisbon club say the Portuguese Football Federation ignored the player's complaints during the tournament and the injury could have been prevented - claims flatly refuted by the FPF. 

Meanwhile, Sporting have boosted their squad with the signing of former Portugal right-back João Pereira on a free transfer, who returns to the club having played for the Lions between 2010 and 2012. 

Braga search for new strike force 

New Braga coach Paulo Fonseca is attempting to complete the restoration of his reputation. After a poor year at Porto he went back to Paços de Ferreira and oversaw another positive campaign, leading to an invitation to succeed Sérgio Conceição at the Quarry, which he duly accepted.

Fonseca's immediate concern is to bring in at least one centre-forward. Last season Éder and Zé Luís shared the striking duties at Braga, both impressing in patches, so much so that they earned moves to Swansea and Spartak Moscow respectively. 

The Arsenalistas were set to bring in a ready-made replacement in former Porto striker Kléber, but the Brazilian was lured away at the last moment by the money on offer in China, signing a contract that will see him playing in Beijing rather than Braga. 

Spain, England, Brazil

Amid the whirl of transfer activity, three recently confirmed moves may not make many headlines but are of interest given the variety of contexts.

Braga's brilliant young Brazilian holding midfielder Danilo joined Nuno Espírito Santo's Valencia, Nacional striker Marco Matias - the top Portuguese goalscorer in the Liga last season with 17 goals - joins English 2nd-tier side Sheffield Wednesday, and former Sporting midfielder Bruno Pereirinha has taken the unusual step for a Portuguese footballer of trying his luck in Brazil, signing for Atlético Paranaense.

by Tom Kundert