Most of the focus is on a somewhat high-profile event going on in France, but back in Portugal both Sporting and FC Porto are busy building their squads to challenge three-time champions Benfica in 2016/17.
Sporting have signed Serbian holding midfielder Petrovic, while Porto have added Brazilian centre-back Felipe to their ranks.
Patrick Ribeiro rounds up the transfer market news concerning the Lions and Dragons.
Sporting snap up Petrovic
Sporting have completed and confirmed the signing of Dynamo Kiev midfielder Radosav Petrovic for a reported fee of approximately €2 million.
The Serbia international, capped 44 times by his country, becomes the fourth signing for ‘the Lions’ ahead of the 2016/2017 season, following on from the captures of Aalborg’s Lukas Spalvis, Colón playmaker Alan Ruiz and his brother, Federico Ruiz.
Petrovic signs a four-year-deal with the Lisbon outfit, with an additional 1-year extension also included in the contract of the man initially expected to compete with William Carvalho for the defensive midfield position.
The 27-year-old, guarded by the customary €60 million release clause, played just seven league games for Dynamo Kiev last season since joining on a free from Turkish club Gençlerbirliği S.K, but despite this, Petrovic is believed to have found himself in both Jorge Jesus’ and Sporting’s scouting network’s plans.
Sporting fans will hope Petrovic is as impactful as other previous Serbian imports associated with Jesus, in particular that of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, meanwhile the arrival of the former Partizan Belgrade and Blackburn Rovers man could spell the end of the club’s recent pursuit of Queens Park Rangers player Sandro.
Porto reinforce defence
FC Porto have taken the first step into strengthening their much-maligned defence of last season by landing Corinthians centre-back Felipe for an undisclosed fee.
Felipe, 27, signs a five-year contract with Porto, decorated with a €50 million release clause and follows Liverpool’s João Teixeira through the door as the second summer signing for ‘Os Dragões’.
The Brazilian centre-back played over 100 times for Corinthians since 2012, claiming the 2015 Brasileirão league title during his time at the club and Porto president Pinto da Costa stated to the Portuguese media that he had no doubts over Felipe’s suitability.
“After all the information we compiled [on Felipe], we considered straight away that this would be the ideal player to fit in at FC Porto, not just because of the way he plays, but also because of his character,” the Porto president declared.
“These are the most important and decisive factors [when judging a player]. He was our preferred choice a long time ago.”
Pinto da Costa went one further by admitting to Record that new boss Nuno Espírito Santo was also a fan of the uncapped Brazilian, assuring the club of their choice.
“I had the opportunity to speak to him [Nuno Espírito Santo] about players that were being signed and he already knew Felipe. He told me that Felipe was a great choice, and since then, he’d always ask me: ‘Has Felipe arrived? Has the deal been done yet? Has Felipe signed?”
Felipe now adds to the likes of Bruno Martins Indi, Iván Marcano and Chidozie Awaziem as centre-back options at the Estádio do Dragão.
By Patrick Ribeiro
