Reports in Portugal claim Estrela da Amadora are eyeing a loan deal for Sunderland forward Semedo
Sunderland striker Luís Hemir Semedo is attracting transfer interest from Portugal, with reports claiming that Estrela da Amadora are exploring a move for the 22-year-old.
According to O JOGO, the Liga Portugal side are weighing up a potential loan deal for the youth international, though the Tricolores are yet to confirm any agreement. If finalised, Semedo would become Estrela’s 21st signing of the season and their sixth attacking reinforcement as they continue an aggressive recruitment drive.
Semedo joined Sunderland in June 2023 on a five-year contract after leaving Benfica, where he came through one of Europe’s most respected youth academies. The Lisbon-born striker signed his first professional deal with Benfica in August 2020 and made his breakthrough with the B team in Liga Portugal 2, scoring two goals in 18 appearances during the 2022–23 campaign. His performances caught the attention of Sunderland’s recruitment team, who identified him as a high-potential forward with the physical profile suited to English football.
After moving to Wearside, Semedo began his journey with Sunderland’s under-21s, where he needed just six appearances and one goal before earning a promotion to the senior squad. Since then, he featured primarily as a late substitute during the 2023–24 season. With competition for places in Régis Le Bris’ first team intense, Sunderland sought to accelerate his development by sanctioning a loan move to Juventus Next Gen, the Serie C reserve side of the Italian giants, ahead of the 2024–25 campaign.
During his time in Turin, Semedo gained valuable experience in a demanding tactical environment, making 27 appearances and scoring two goals in all competitions. Juventus Next Gen viewed the loan as a long-term project, and the deal even included an option to buy.
Back on Wearside ahead of the new season, Semedo’s situation remains under review, and his next steps could involve a return to Portugal. According to O JOGO, Estrela da Amadora are “closely monitoring” his availability and view the forward’s physical presence, aerial ability and versatility as valuable additions to their attack. The Portuguese club are reshaping their squad following an inconsistent campaign and have already invested heavily in strengthening their forward line, making Semedo an attractive target.
Sunderland are understood to be open to a loan or permanent deal for Semedo, who is under contract until 2028. With Estrela yet to make a formal approach, discussions remain at an early stage, but interest in Semedo is growing, and a move away from Wearside before the window closes cannot be ruled out.
What did Régis Le Bris say after Sunderland vs West Ham?
Head coach Régis Le Bris hailed Sunderland’s players after their 3-0 victory over West Ham United but warned that humility and togetherness must remain central to their Premier League campaign.
The Black Cats returned to the top flight in style on Saturday, with second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidor sealing their first Premier League win in over eight years.
Le Bris was delighted with the way his players responded to half-time instructions after a challenging first half and praised their ability to execute the gameplan. He also revealed that captain Granit Xhaka addressed the squad post-match to stress the importance of staying united.
“I'm happy for the fans and the players and the club,” Le Bris said. “We had different phases of pre-season and we spoke about the layers we needed to add. It was obvious that it starts from the foundations – we showed that the team is working well.
He added: “They were hard to beat in a mid to low block. The first half was a bit more difficult but during the second half we felt we could get opportunities through regains in the middle and that we could score through counter attacks.
“We didn't change many important things at half time. We spoke a bit about their goalkeeper restarts and our high press, we went for man for man and they found two or three opportunities with long balls. So it was really important to be strong in duels. We made just two or three little decisions, and it made a difference.”
Le Bris was also keen to highlight that Sunderland’s three goals came from players who were already at the club last season, despite a summer of heavy recruitment. “It's really important for two reasons, they showed they can step up [first and foremost],” he said.
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“We'll see later, but today it was the case. And it's really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season. We built this strength about togetherness, the way we work as a team. The players worked well as a team and they showed that again today.”
The Frenchman added that while the opening-day victory was a proud moment for everyone connected to the club, Sunderland would remain focused on the long campaign ahead.
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