標籤: Portuguese

of liverpool The name continues to follow Francisco Trincao around Portugal, and the Reds are now being presented as the leading candidates if the Sporting player decides to return to England.

recent reports The Reds have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old attacker, while Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with interest. Now, record Claim Liverpool top the list of clubs keeping an eye on the Portugal international.

The newspaper’s latest report focuses on Sporting’s summer plans and the players most likely to generate big transfer income. And Trincao is firmly one of them.

According to the Record, Sporting believe the winger has all the prerequisites for a Premier League return after rebuilding his career in Lisbon over the past four years.

While several clubs have been linked, Liverpool in particular have been identified as the team with the most interest at this stage.

Liverpool strongly linked

Portuguese reports have repeatedly suggested that Trincão’s future would not be seriously considered until after the World Cup. That tournament is expected to provide another opportunity for the player to increase his value and visibility on the international stage.

So there is no hurry for sporting.

The attacker signed a new contract earlier this year until 2030, while his €60m (£50.5m) release clause remains unchanged. Records show that any activity regarding his future is expected to revolve around that figure.

Liverpool’s continued presence at the front of the queue will draw attention to Merseyside.

The Reds are expected to make attacking adjustments this summer and Trincao’s profile has been increasingly highlighted in Portugal, As we covered earlier.

He finished the season with 13 goals and 15 assists in 54 games. He also established himself as Sporting’s most used outfield player.

Sporting expects big sales

The Record’s extensive reports make it clear that Sporting are hoping for another lucrative summer.

The Lisbon club made more than €181 million (£152 million) from player sales last year and are targeting at least €120 million (£101 million) in outgoing deals this summer.

Trincao is considered one of the players capable of helping them reach that figure. And according to records, the Reds currently top the list among the clubs willing to unlock the deal.

Aston Villa And liverpool Spent years watching Pedro Gonçalves destroy the Portuguese back line. Now, for the first time in a long time, Sporting actually looks ready to open the door.

And time suddenly seems dangerous for everyone else. Because Pedro Goncalves has scored 13 goals in 26 league matches in Portugal this season.

He averages 3.74 shots per 90 minutes, and he scores once every 6.15 attempts. So he is a killer of leftist ideology.

Add to this seven assists, 2.39 key passes per game and elite creative numbers, and it becomes easy to understand why Premier League interest never properly disappeared.

Aston Villa and Liverpool are longtime fans

according to News bulletinSporting are now ready to negotiate if the right offer comes along this summer.

Villa and Liverpool are mentioned as the two English clubs that stand most strongly around Pedro Gonçalves.

Both have followed the sporting legend for years. As we followed closely, Speculation regarding Aston Villa is somewhat solid since 2024, while Liverpool’s interest Dates for 2021. But both also have reasons to believe he can fit into Premier League football immediately.

Unai Emery values ​​flexible attacking players capable of flowing between midfield and wide roles, while Liverpool’s recruitment team has consistently targeted productive forwards who combine goals with pressing intensity and creativity.

Pedro Gonçalves ticks all those boxes. He has scored 97 goals and provided 57 assists in 237 appearances for Sporting since arriving in 2020. These are typical numbers for a man who still plays the vast majority of matches outside the penalty area.

Even this season, despite physical problems in parts of the campaign, he still managed to score 15 goals and 8 assists in all competitions.

At the age of 27, there is also a growing feeling in Portugal that this could be the ideal moment for both Sporting and the player to finally accept a big move abroad.

West Ham’s situation depends on survival

West Ham are also mentioned as long-term admirers of Pedro Gonçalves.

As we have covered in recent yearsThe Hammers have monitored him for several seasons and have repeatedly praised his versatility and final-third productivity. However, any serious attempt to make a move this summer will likely depend on their Premier League status.

This uncertainty naturally puts clubs like Aston Villa and Liverpool in a stronger position if the situation escalates.

Meanwhile, Sporting is already preparing for significant changes to the team.

Midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar has arrived from Braga in a club-record €30m (£25.2m) move, while Portuguese side Venezia continue to work on deals for the midfielder. Issa Doumbia and dream of bringing joao palinha of tottenham Back.

Pedro Gonçalves still has a contract until 2030 and an €80m (£67.2m) release clause.

Still, the important details are now elsewhere. Sporting is no longer aggressively shutting down negotiations. And after years of waiting, Aston Villa and Liverpool may finally feel an opening.

Tottenham Hotspur are still leaning towards signing Joao Palinha permanently from Bayern Munich. However, Sporting is already keeping a close eye on how the situation changes.

The midfielder has been one of Spurs’ most important players this season. Palhinha has made 30 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals and adding two assists while playing over 2,200 league minutes.

These numbers help explain why Roberto De Zerbi has relied on him so much in midfield.

The Tottenham manager has also publicly praised the Portugal international during the season. De Zerbi even said that Spurs should sign “more players like him”. This naturally reinforced the feeling that the club is leaning towards activating a permanent deal with Bayern Munich. even discount is being discussed.

But the situation could become even more complicated if Tottenham are relegated from the Premier League. Spurs remain languishing near the bottom of the table. Joining the Championship would completely change the club’s financial picture and summer plans.

So while there is still no definitive outcome, there is blood in the water.

Sporting is keeping a close eye on the situation

According to, that uncertainty is now attracting Sporting’s attention to ball. The Portuguese newspaper reports that the Lisbon side is closely monitoring Palhinha’s situation. They are preparing to make major changes to the midfield ahead of next season.

Morten Hjulmand Expected to leave Alvalade this summer. During this time, hidemasa morita He is close to a move to Leeds United after his contract expires. In that rebuilding scenario, Palahinha remains a key target internally.

The 30-year-old came through the Sporting academy before joining Fulham in 2022 for €21m (£18m). Bayern Munich signed him until 2024 before loaning him to Tottenham.

One Bola says Bayern is open to another exit. Reports put the asking price around €30 million (£25.8 million), although Sporting believe a loan would be far more realistic financially.

Players still strongly associated with sporting

The Portuguese newspaper says Palhinha would prefer Sporting if several clubs offered similar terms.

A return to Portugal reportedly appeals for family reasons, while Sporting apparently has a strong emotional advantage due to his history at the club.

There is also another important information. A Bola claims that Palhinha will even reduce his salary demands to help him get back into Alvalade.

For now, Tottenham are still in the best position to keep him permanently. However, the lack of a final decision – coupled with Spurs’ uncertain league position – is leaving the door open for Sporting to dream.

nottingham forest It appears that Nobel Mendy is in a better position to act quickly, with the latest report from Portugal suggesting that the rivals are still in no position to make a move.

Interest in the 21-year-old centre-back first emerged in Spain, Where we covered Forest, Benfica and Atalanta reports Everyone was eager and ready to submit strong proposals. It outlined a competitive race on paper.

However, coverage from the Portuguese newspaper record Important context has now been added – specifically around Benfica’s situation. And that’s good news for Nottingham Forest.

Benfica is not ready to act yet

According to records, Benfica has been monitoring Nobel Mendy for some time. Despite this, no proposal has come yet. And the reason is structural rather than financial.

Benfica’s next move in the centre-back market depends on the future of Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva. Both could leave this summer, and only once the situation is resolved will the club decide whether to pursue Mendy.

This effectively stops their interest.

This is an important detail that was not clear in the initial reporting from Spain. While Benfica are firmly in the race, they are in no position to accelerate it at the moment.

Are the forests ready to be moved first?

Of course, this creates an obvious contrast with Nottingham Forest. The Premier League side were already reported to be ready to submit a high offer to Spain, and unlike Benfica, there is no internal situation slowing them down at present.

It doesn’t appear that Forrest is waiting for an exit or a contract resolution before stepping into this position. Practically, this could allow him to first link up with Rayo Vallecano, who are expected to make Mendy’s deal permanent with Real Betis for €2.4m (£2.1m).

If Forest want to act quickly, they could enter into talks before other interested clubs are fully ready to enter the race.

what happens next

Spanish reports suggested a three-way conflict. The Portuguese press now presents a more nuanced picture.

Forest’s willingness to move forward with a concrete offer could give them an early advantage. Meanwhile, Benfica is waiting for internal decisions, which is likely to cause a delay.

Meanwhile, Nobel Mendy has done a lot to continue attracting attention. He has featured regularly for Rayo Vallecano this season and recently earned his first senior cap for Senegal in March.

Nevertheless, their role is not completely fixed. He was recently left on the bench in the 1–0 win against Strasbourg in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. After all he is still developing.

So if timing proves decisive, Nottingham Forest may have a clearer path forward than when interest initially surfaced.

chelsea And wolves Both are moving into the youth market with similar intentions, even if their short-term realities look very different.

Chelsea have continued to build aggressively for the future under the Bleuco structure. The club has made a habit of identifying players early and placing them in their multi-club system.

Wolves, on the other hand, are preparing for life in the Championship after confirming relegation. That change is expected to trigger a comprehensive squad reset. Young, high-growth players could become a key part of that rebuild, especially if they come with low initial costs and long development timelines.

As part of the shared focus on youth, a new name has started circulating.

Teenage striker is now on the radar

Zebedee Kennedy has emerged as a player both clubs are keeping an eye on. The 16-year-old currently belongs to Mjällby AIF, where he signed a contract running until 2028 earlier this year.

The forward has not yet made his senior debut. However, his impact at the international youth level has drawn attention. He has scored four goals in 12 appearances for the Sweden U16 team, which has helped raise his profile.

In recent times, reports linking them to a move started emerging. Those claims have now been strengthened further by the Portuguese newspaper to ballWhich confirms that both Chelsea and Wolves are among the clubs following the situation.

Juventus and Benfica have also been mentioned in the running.

Different plans, same opportunity

Zebedee Kennedy would represent a long-term project for any club.

In Chelsea’s case, the path seems relatively clear. The expectation will be that the player will be signed and then developed within the BluCo network.

A loan to Strasbourg, or another partner club, would fit the pattern seen with a number of recent arrivals.

For wolves, the situation is more linked to their immediate reset. Demotion changes the profile of the team, and the club is expected to bring in players who can develop with a new cycle.

A signing like Kennedy could be part of that process, even if the young Swede has even less of an impact.

what happens next

Zebedee Kennedy is still in the early stages of his career. He does not have any senior players yet, and his current club has him under contract until 2028.

This means any moves will likely depend on how quickly interest turns into concrete moves. For now, both Chelsea and Wolves appear to be in the monitoring phase, but the fact that several European clubs are circling suggests this could develop further in the coming months.

For two clubs going in different directions, this is one area where their strategies still overlap.

swansea city Coach Vitor Matos has admitted he needs to face the reality that star striker Zhan Vipotnik could be sold this summer.

The Swansea boss speaks about the club and their star man in an interview Today with A Bola.

old striker vipotnik

Xan Vipotnik joins the Welsh team on a free transfer in 2024 after leaving Bordeaux in France. But this season has been a breakout season for him.

21 goals in 42 games in the league, as well as two goals in four appearances in the EFL Cup, made his second season in the Championship a memorable one.

He is the current top goalscorer in the division and has the best minutes per goal ratio among the top ten scorers. His 25% goal conversion rate is also the second best.

Swansea City sale could be a possibility

Such an impressive record would not have gone unnoticed by the bigger clubs. And while Vitor Matos would prefer not to sell, he knows there is a financial reality in such cases.

“I have nothing but praise for him. It’s great to see him score and to see him score goals in so many different ways. I’m really happy.” He said.

“Now, obviously, we work within a reality where selling players is always an important factor. You always have to be prepared for the possibility that offers may come that the club considers worth accepting.

“However, if you ask me whether he is the kind of player for whom it would be fair to demand a substantial fee, I have no doubt. It is clear for everyone to see that he is a player with high market value and immense collective importance to the team.

“As a coach, he is probably the kind of player I would least like to lose during the transfer window. However, we must always be mindful of the financial realities and the wider project of the club, to ensure our long-term financial sustainability.”

Focus on improvement for now

For now, the focus is on Zhan Vipotnik’s incredible improvement so far. Few would have expected such a comeback from the striker who arrived at Swansea City as a complete unknown in the summer of 2024.

Even fewer would have predicted that he would reach such heights this season, as he could only achieve seven out of 42 last season. He has now tripled that number, in one game less.

However, Vitor Matos knows how hard the striker has worked to get here.

“His finishing has incredible ease and spontaneity,” He added.

“It’s very difficult to get that kind of shooting power. Whether from outside the box or inside it, with his left foot, with his head, or with his right foot. He really is the complete centre-forward.

“He has also come a long way in terms of contributing to the defensive side of the team, without losing his instincts.

“In other words, he managed to develop his game, become more effective in his pressing, showed greater tactical control, and often led the team in terms of pressing, demonstrating our collective ability to try and dominate even when out of possession.

“He has made great progress in this regard, without sacrificing his natural spontaneity or his spark at key moments. This development was vital for him to retain his place and to reach the high level at which he is currently.”

AFC Bournemouth Now there will be a vacancy to think about after Andoni Ierola confirmed he will leave at the end of the 2025/26 season. This would end a successful spell on the south coast.

While high profile names and proven Premier League managers are being mentioned, few of them can get the praise of Bournemouth like Vasco Botelho.

In February, we covered Claims of ESPN Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade. He explained that Bournemouth view the Moreirense coach as part of a succession plan within the same wider group.

At the time, it seemed like an interesting detail. Now with the areola out, it’s starting to seem more relevant.

There is still no indication that Bournemouth have made any final decision. Still, Botelho isn’t just another name thrown into the mix. It is said that he is a coach who is well known to the club. Furthermore, he is already a coach working within the club’s ecosystem, and a coach whose profile looks like it would work at the Vitality Stadium.

Why is Vasco Botelho different?

At 37, Vasco Botelho is still young for a senior coach. However, the increase has been rapid and earned.

As mentioned, he started in youth football at GDS Cascais when he was only 17 years old. zerozero. He then progressed through Estoril’s academy structure and made a serious name for himself with the club’s under-23s. During this period, they won the Liga Revelção twice and the Taça Revelção twice.

After that came União de Leiria, where he achieved promotion from Liga 3 and then Alverca. At Alverca, he took charge of a struggling team and eventually led them to the Primeira Liga. He reached 14th place with the club. Following this, he produced remarkable performances in the second half of the season.

That alone would make him an interesting candidate. The more revealing part is how people describe him.

As revealed in a detailed article on the Portuguese outlet SaturdayA former player said he was seen as a demanding, methodical coach with an offensive mindset who wanted brave teams, defensive organization and strong possession of the football.

The player said he values ​​quality under pressure and does not want teams to give away the ball easily when under pressure.

This seems to be the kind of identity Bournemouth have tried to create.

The personality behind the coach

Vasco Botelho also comes across as someone who lives the work to the fullest.

In a more personal interview he explained: “I set my alarm for 6:15, but I usually wake up a little earlier. Typically, I’m the first one to get to the club before 7:00. In those first hours, that’s when I feel really productive.”

That is not the language of someone casually passing through a role. Instead, it portrays a coach who is deeply invested in detail, planning and structure.

At the same time, he doesn’t talk like a pure obsessive who wants players to remain locked inside football permanently. He also said: “The day before the game, everyone has to take the afternoon off, rest and do other things so they can clear their mind.”

That balance is one of the more interesting parts of his profile. He works hard, but he doesn’t appear to be blind to mental freshness.

He clearly put forward that broader vision when discussing the profession: “We have to be able to adapt to the context, and also have a balance, which is one of the most important things.

“We have to maintain that balance and accept that we will not always have everything we want. We will have many wars, and we will have to accept losing some battles in order to win others. But there is no room for relaxation. We will always have to be dissatisfied”He said.

There is flexibility in it but there is also edge in it. Bournemouth may like both parts.

A coach who seems to connect with the players

The exterior details add even more color for Bournemouth fans.

A former colleague said that Botelho “already stood out because of the quality of his training” and that he would watch opponents, film matches, edit the footage and then show it to the players.

Another recalled that his sessions and video analysis were “very thorough”, adding that he was the first coach he had seen having personal meetings with each player before the season started.

Former player Hugo Leal described him as “a ‘yelling’ coach in the good sense”, someone who never rested until everything was right.

Fernando Varela, who captained Alverca under him, said that Botelho enforced the rules immediately “without harassing the players” and also emphasized the humane side of his management.

Bournemouth aren’t just changing tactics following Erola’s departure. They will also provide a voice, a presence and a daily standard-setter. Botelho’s profile suggests someone who can make demands without breaking away from the group.

He also seems comfortable thinking about success broadly. in an interview with to ballHe said: “In football, we cannot say that there is only one way to guarantee success.”

He then used Djokovic, Federer and Nadal as examples of champions with different paths. He also added: “Michael Jordan played 12 seasons and won six rings… In other seasons, was he a failure?”.

This suggests a coach who can deal with pressure without becoming a prisoner of every short-term ups and downs.

English will not be a problem

One detail that stands out strongly in the Bournemouth context is language.

Vasco Botelho worked at St. James’s School in Cascais, an experience that helped him improve his English. It has also been written in Portuguese reporting that he has a command over the language. Therefore, if ever consideration was given to taking him to England, this should remove one obvious concern.

So if Bournemouth are to accelerate their thinking, communication will appear to be no barrier at all.

He is already working in a Bournemouth-based environment, and the practical side of the switch appears to be far less complicated than other emerging candidates.

Why does fit matter to Bournemouth?

None of these guarantee placement. Bournemouth may decide they want a more experienced name. They may prefer someone already tested in the top five leagues. They can also survive extensive searches.

Still, if the club indeed sees Vasco Botelho as part of its succession plan, Ireola’s exit changes the timing of negotiations.

He has an upward curve and coaching credentials. He has breadth, intensity and, by all accounts, a personality worthy of leadership. Plus, he has the Englishman to step into that world without any pressure and has won his fair share of minor trophies.

So while Bournemouth supporters may not know his name as well as some of the more obvious candidates, Botelho doesn’t look like a betting outsider. He looks like a coach the club is already preparing itself to trust.

West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has offered his thoughts on Nottingham Forest’s upcoming Europa League clash with FC Porto, with his comments drawing attention from his former club.

talking to portuguese tv This week, Nuno was asked about the tie between Forest and Porto. Although he made it clear that his focus remained on West Ham, he also expressed clear expectations for the game.

“I admit that I have not been paying much attention to that competition, the Europa League,” He said.

However, he quickly added his assessment of the fixture, which is highly anticipated in portugal.

“But it will be a very competitive game. Porto is one of the best teams in Portuguese football, and Nottingham is full of talent. It will definitely be a complex and competitive match.”

The Nottingham Forest reference is still relevant

Nuno Espirito Santo’s comments take on added significance given his recent connection to Nottingham Forest. At the start of this season, he was briefly in charge at the club before moving on.

That background means he still has a good understanding of the team. This also explains why his words are being raised in Portugal ahead of the match.

From a West Ham perspective, this is more of an outside observation than a direct concern. Still, it shows how closely Nuno is following the English game beyond his current role.

Focus remains on West Ham duties

Nuno Espirito Santo also made it clear that his focus is on West Ham’s immediate priorities. The Hammers are preparing for key home fixtures, including an FA Cup tie against Leeds United.

This context clarifies his previous comment about not focusing too much on the Europa League. His daily work focuses on West Ham’s schedule.

Still, his outlook on Nottingham Forest vs Porto is straightforward. He expects a balanced and demanding contest, with quality on both sides.

Either way, the Hammers manager is aware of what is happening elsewhere, but his priorities are clear.

Exclusive: Mathias Oliveira

🚨Nottingham Forest are still pursuing a Napoli player
➡️Change #NFFC Interest has not been affected
🔼The Premier League is the key to a successful transferhttps://t.co/f51ZV1MFiv #SSCinapoli

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 27 March 2026

Bernardo Silva looks to be on the verge of a Manchester City exit as his contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in the summer.

The midfielder won his first silverware on Sunday as the Citizens beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. It was his 18th trophy during his tenure at the club, but it is unlikely to have any impact on his decision regarding his future.

sports witness We’ve covered the angle on which Juventus are pushing to sign the Portuguese. It is said that there was already an offer on the table for the midfielder, and that talks had already taken place with his agent Jorge Mendes.

The Old Lady have a long-standing working relationship with the super agent and can now help them seal a deal for the Manchester City player.

Juve offered another player

gazzetta dello sport Report that the Bianconeri have indeed spoken to Mendes for Bernardo. During these negotiations, they were also offered the chance to sign Porto’s star goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

The Portugal international is believed to consider the summer of 2026 as the right time for an exit. He has been at Porto since the age of 11 and Juve could now be his next destination as they look for a new goalkeeper.

The move is being considered in Turin, where the Manchester City player is seen as an important transfer opportunity. The main reason for this is that he is a free agent and still provides a lot of value to the team.

Meanwhile, a deal for Costa is likely to cost around €50 million, but this could be reduced due to Mendes.

Confirmation from Spain regarding Manchester City player

game The 31-year-old man has also been reported in detail in Spain. He is confident that Juve actually have an offer for the multiple-time Premier League winner.

Mendes has made it clear to suitors that money is not the player’s priority and Bernardo is more focused on the current project. Part of the ex-Benfica player’s family lives in Barcelona, ​​in which the Catalan club also have interest.

The only reason he has not made a formal approach yet is lack of space in the team. Bernardo will be in a starting position but all the slots in midfield at Barcelona are already filled.

mendes at work

Everything indicates that Mendes is now really pushing to find a new club for the midfielder. Maybe that’s why information about Bernardo is spreading in many countries.

Since Juve have also been given the chance to sign Diogo Costa, this suggests that they could be the favorites for his signature.

Unlike Barcelona, ​​he will have a starting spot in midfield free for next season. Manuel Locatelli and Khefren Thuram are the only two designated starters in midfield. Bernardo can operate as a more advanced midfielder in the current setup.

He has been playing that role at Manchester City this season and will have no trouble fitting into it.

🇵🇹Oscar Pietuszewski | Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City blend for viral FC Porto sensation

➡️ Only Portuguese clubs arrive at the Winter Market
⭐️ The ruckus has already started regarding the transferhttps://t.co/YJz0Oi6pIp #afc #cfc #mcfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 10 March 2026