Portuguese transfer rumour mill latest
With the European seasons now done and dusted things are beginning to heat up in the transfer market.
Jan Hagen rounds up the latest gossip swirling around the Portuguese media involving Porto pair Jackson Martínez and Brahimi, Sporting and Portugal right-back Cédric Soares and Benfica's Anderson Talisca, among others, while a number of Primeira Liga clubs have appointed their coaches for 2015/16.
Jackson Martínez is once again stealing the headlines in Portugal. On Monday night AC Milan’s Vice-President and CEO Adriano Galliani was in Porto meeting the club's directors. The topics of conversation were Yacine Brahimi and “especially” Jackson Martínez, according to MaisFutebol.
Later the same night, Jackson’s agent Henrique Pompeo told O Jogo that the Colombian striker could leave any day, as just a few details were missing before his new club could announce the deal. Pompeo also said Porto will receive Jackson’s full release clause of €35 million. It seems like Jackson Martínez will need to start Italian lessons this summer.
Also present at the meeting was Doyen Sport’s CEO Nélio Lucas. Doyen is one of AC Milan’s new partners and they own 70% of Yacine Brahimi’s economic rights, which means Lucas may put pressure on Porto to sell the Algerian winger to the Serie A club, who seem interested.
Cédric seems to be lost for Sporting. The Portuguese international has had something of a mediocre season, but he has no plans of renewing with Os Leões. After Stoke got a bid rejected last week, just details are missing before Southampton can announce the signing of Cédric. Sporting and the English club have agreed on a €5 million deal for the right-back, according to O Jogo. If the transfer goes through, Cédric will meet up with his national team colleague and Southamption captain José Fonte.
On Tuesday Record reported that Atlético Madrid had started negotiations with Benfica over their talented midfielder/forward Anderson Talisca. The 21-year-old started the season exceptionally, but due to drop in form and Jonas’ entry into the team the young Brazilian was dropped to the bench for most of the second half of the season. Talisca’s agent has said no concrete offers are on the table, though, and the newly married man, currently on honeymoon, is just thinking about a return to Benfica, where he is very happy. Chelsea and José Mourinho are also said to be interested and Jesse Davi, Talisca’s agent, admitted that if a big clubs makes an offer that pleases everyone, his client could leave.
Miralem Sulejmani signed a 3-year deal with Swiss side Young Boys on Tuesday and Benfica are already in talks over a replacement. 18-year-old winger Andrija Zivkovic will be the one to fill Sulejmani’s shoes at Estádio da Luz, according to O Jogo. Record said a deal was done last summer, but the Serbian never arrived in Lisbon. Now Benfica are negotiating with Partizan again to bring the youngster to Portugal.
Cardozo rubbishes Sporting rumours
Óscar Cardozo was linked with a return to Portugal last week to be reunited with Jorge Jesus at Sporting. However, the Paraguayan striker said: “I’m a former Benfica player and still a fan, so I wouldn’t like to score goals against them [Benfica].” That comment should put those rumours to bed, once and for all.
It’s now confirmed that both Óliver Torres and Casemiro will return to Spain this summer, so Porto have been stacking up in midfield. The return of Sérgio Oliveira from Paços is already official. André André will also join Porto this summer from Vitória Guimarães. The midfielder has agreed to a 4-year deal at the Estádio do Dragão, if the Portuguese press are to be believed.
The latest in line is Málaga’s Sergi Darder. His agent Junior Minguella has confirmed that he will sit down with Porto later this week to hear them out. According to A Bola Málaga want at least €10 million for the 21-year-old.
The rumours regarding Danilo’s future have continued this week. Both O Jogo and Record reports that Sporting are leading the race for Marítimo’s defensive midfielder, who could leave for around €3 million.
On Tuesday União da Madeira and Belenenses completed the hiring of Luís Norton de Matos and Ricardo Sá Pinto, respectively, as their new managers. Braga is also close to hiring a new manager, after suspending Sérgio Conceição in order to dismiss him for “lack of respect and loyalty for the club”. Paços has confirmed Braga are in talks over Paulo Fonseca and A Bola claims a 3-year deal has been agreed.
By Jan Hagen
(for more from Jan follow him on Twitter @PortuBall)
