Francisco Trincão
Francisco Trincão
Francisco Trincão is still holding out for a move to either Tottenham or Manchester City. The Sporting attacker is yet to accept Al Ahli’s offer, despite the Saudi club already agreeing terms with the Portuguese champions.
Record report there remains an impasse in the deal, with Sporting and Al Ahli both waiting for the 26-year-old’s decision. While the move is considered close, Trincão continues to negotiate with the Saudi side.
According to the newspaper, the Portugal international is still prioritising a move to one of Europe’s top leagues, with the Premier League remaining his preferred destination.
How the story reached this point
The transfer saga has evolved in distinct phases over the past few weeks.
Liverpool were the first Premier League club to be linked with Trincão. The Sporting winger were presented in Portuguese media as a concrete target. The Reds looked to replace Salah and strengthen his attacking options.
Those reports gradually faded after Liverpool secured the signing of Víctor Muñoz. This move effectively brought that particular trail to an end.
Attention then shifted elsewhere in England. Shortly after Tottenham completed the signing of Sporting midfielder Mateus Fernandes – another client of Jorge Mendes – Spurs began to feature alongside Manchester City. These two clubs were most regularly linked with Trincão.
Both were presented as admirers of the Portugal international, although neither club progressed to formal talks with Sporting. Saudi Arabia had already entered the picture in a much more concrete way.
Al Ahli became the first club to open direct negotiations withSporting before eventually reaching an agreement worth around €45m (£37.9m). This deal left only the player’s approval outstanding.
Over the last few days, several Portuguese reports have suggested Trincão is close to accepting the move, attracted by a salary of around €10m (£8.4m) net per season over four years.
Record, however, now say the transfer remains on hold. This is because Trincão is still hoping interest from Tottenham or Manchester City develops into a concrete opportunity.
Waiting for England
The latest update is that Trincão is still hoping something develops in England. Record insist Manchester City and Tottenham remain on his shortlist, even if Sporting have not received approaches from either club.
That leaves all parties waiting. Trincão, meanwhile, continues to hold out for the possibility that interest from Manchester City or Tottenham develops into something more certain before making what would likely be the biggest decision of his career.
Key transfer points
Trincão delaying Saudi Arabia move in hope of something better
Tottenham and Manchester City only other clubs named
Jorge Mendes likely trying to push Spurs option
May be fishing for more Saudi money and using the PL pair in process
🇮🇹 Djed Spence | Tottenham player ‘fully open’ to transfer ➡️ Wants to join champions and play in CL https://t.co/goMeT6XUOl #thfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 17, 2026