Word didn't just come out about that bro. Thats old news about Sevilla's bid since last summer. Sporting accepted the bid, but Carrico turned it down. Everybody who's real Sporting fans and particularly Carrico fans new about that. Carrico personally turned it down, because of his loyalty to the club.

Firstly mate, if the English League is so strong as you make out, then why did only 2 of the 4 English teams get past the CL group stages this season? And there is a real chance that there could be none in the quarters at all...I would consider Bayern the favourites to beat Arsenal, and Real Madrid the favourites to beat Man United.

Yes Chelsea won the cup last year, but most would agree they won it by playing the sort of anti-football that was almost embarassing at times, and even some Chelsea-fan friends of mine were admitting this fact at the time. There's no way anyone could say Chelsea was really the best team in Europe last season, and confirmation of this is the fact that they became the first CL holders to exit at the group stage. What the Premier League has is the biggest PR and global coverage...because of the BBC, Sky Sports etc etc...so many assume that it must be the best league around...but to me at least, in terms of quality and strength on the pitch, it's way behind the Spanish Liga, and not much stronger than the Bundesliga (if at all)!

But to go back to the original subject, I re-emphasise: Spurs simply cannot compare to FC Porto, in any sense, I'm afraid. Porto are in the CL every single season, and fight to win it too...while for Spurs just qualifying for it once every so often, is considered a huge success. Yes your point is true that the Premier League is stronger than the Portuguese Liga, but the real point is that Porto is stronger than Spurs...and furthermore Moutinho has grown used to winning regular silverware at Porto, and he could wave that goodbye if he left to join Spurs. That's the real point for me anyway.

RE: "How could anyone believe that Moutinho joining Tottenham would be a step-up or progression?"

I agree with you that Porto is more succesful club than Tottenham in terms of European achievements, but one advantage playing for Spurs can give is possibility to play against strong opposition more often. When you are Tottenham player you have about 10 fixtures a year with rivals on your level or better than you and many other with rivals on comparable level. Playing for Porto against the likes of Pacos Ferreira, Rio Ave or Moreirense, with whole respect, doesn't give the same test in terms of quality.

So it's not only money, it's also competition level what can lure you to EPL out of Liga Sagres. What can't be said about Russian league, for example.

Having said that I am not a big fan of NBA-isation of Premier League, process of bringing all best players to one league. I like situation in which top players play in many leagues.

I'm with you on those points mate, how could anyone believe that Moutinho joining Tottenham would be a step-up or progression? Porto are consistently one of the leading clubs in European football, and are bigger, much more succesful and far more likely to win trophies than Spurs. The only thing Spurs can offer more is money obviously. Just like we've said already about Hulk and Witsel, if Moutinho does want to leave, he should rather wait until a bigger club than Spurs comes knocking.

I also disagree that it's always a good thing to leave the Portuguese Liga. Our league is under-estimated but our top clubs can take on the best of Europe. I have always thought that should a player leave one of our top 3 clubs, they should only join a truely bigger club or a better team (on the pitch), not simply a club that offers more money (i.e Zenit), otherwise it's not a step forward (on the pitch at least) in my view!

I don't understand what happened to Carrico's career. I saw him play on youth teams. He was a stand out player and natural leader. He looked like a no miss player who is athletic and seems to be a leader.

I am sure the media in Portugal may know more than me on this player but a mystery how the overrated and washed up Bouhlarouz gets more playing time. Maybe Carrico is a better def mid than a CB -- don't know.

At this point playing for Reading in the EPL will give Carrico an opportunity to test his abilities. Defenders tend to mature later in their careers and there is always hope he excels.

This is not a good development for the NT as now Carrico's career is at risk along with another noted young defender Manuel da Costa who has not lived up to billing.

Portugal is too small a country with little depth to afford having two young defenders not live up to potential. I have lamented quite often on this forum about the lack of Portuguese talent in the 20-25 year range and sadly another example of a players under delivering. I still hold out hope for Carrico with this change.

Unfortunatelly I don't watch Portuguese league as often as I would like to, but even if I have just seen Daniel Carrico playing for couple of times, it wasn't hard to remember him, you don't often see such a promising, cultured centre back, who plays good and wisely on the ground.

Of course even if you are Sporting CP you don't produce a Cristiano Ronaldo or a Luis Figo or a Joao Moutinho through your ranks every other year, but among those players who were at the club, they were Rui Patricio and Daniel Carrico who looked like perfect prospects to achieve big success, natural heirs to Joao Moutinho and Miquel Veloso.

Even if a bit less gifted than those mentioned above, Carrico was one of big Sporting products, so it is somehow strange to see him moving to such a mediocre club, with all respect to Reading who are brave team and have their tradition and so on.

It simply looks he moved to weaker club. Of course it is hard to compare Sporting - as mediocre as it is in this season - to club fighting against relegation in English Premier League, they are in two different environments. But no one can say Reading is bigger club than SCP.

Of course he moved to bigger league, but it is very big risk that only for few months. Maybe I am wrong but I am afraid that Reading can go down before Carrico will acommodate well in Premier League football.

Should we continue to be surprised by Sporting's bad business practices.

First the player;
I've said it before, how Carrico was put in a no win situation. He was named one of the captains a few years ago, with no real first team experience. This underlines how bad Sporting has been in need of leadership on the field.
This team is also lacking defensively and has been searching and buying players non stop. It is a concern that Carrico hasn't been able to distinguish himself enough to get regular first team play. Yes the team is in shambles and huge turnover in managers, but he should have come good, no?
Maybe not as "good" as people perceive or hope.

Now the team;
It is truly amazing how badly run this club is. You have a player that you've brought up the ranks. Spent money along the way in getting him to the main squad. Then you let his contract dwindle down to 6 months remaining and sell him at bargain price. I will admit that Carrico's market value has been dropping, but he's still rated around 6 million euros. They let him go for 750,000 euros. What?
I know that his deal was coming to an end, but how did they let that happen and take so much less. For me 6 million is high for such an unproven player, but he could have fetched 2 to 3 mil.
"Maca Podres" indeed.

As for Reading, we're going to see what kind of, or lack of there of, impact Carrico will have. Reading is slated to get relegated. They have a horrible goal differential and give up goals in bunches. Will he be able to crack such a bad defensive squad at the back or as defensive mid?
Even if Reading gets relegated as expected, we will find out about Carrico as a player, sooner than later.

So, he's supposed to be one of Portugal's up-and-coming players, and yet he joins a mediocre team, for an absolute pittance.

The only player likely to make a worthwhile step in the right direction is Moutinho. That's if he makes the much rumored transfer to Tottenham.

They had to sell him overseas but I can't believe they couldn't have gotten more from him and sent him to a midtable team. For his part I hope he has an easy out if Reading gets relegated. If he plays well it's his chance to shine in a big league in front of top teams. If Reading goes down he could end up on a bigger team for more money next season.Regardless, it's his chance to advance his career on a bigger stage.Lets hope he does well.