Sporting Lisbon were expecting to be rolling in it when selling Ruben Semedo – but Newcastle United, Everton and Southampton could get him on the cheap.
Sporting Lisbon’s clash with Chaves on the final day of the Portuguese season was supposed to be the perfect opportunity for Ruben Semedo to bid farewell to the club he joined as an unknown, bright-eyed youngster eight years ago.
According to A Bola, the classy centre-half is set to leave the Lisbon giants this summer despite the hefty £38 million release clause in his contract. Newcastle United, as well as Premier League rivals Southampton and Everton, have been linked incessantly in recent weeks.
However, it’s fair to say Sporting’s 4-1, final day victory was not exactly the dream ending for Semedo. Reports suggested that French giants Lille, who have new American owners and legendary Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa in place for next season, sent a director to watch Semedo in action ahead of an expected summer bid.
And, according to Record, these latest links didn’t go down well with Sporting supporters who unveiled a huge banner saying, in perfect French, ‘Bon Voyage Ruben Semedo’.
The goodwill appeared purely sarcastic.
And Record suggest that the Portuguese giants themselves are less than impressed with Semedo’s recent performances. After he was dumped on the bench in recent weeks, the report claims they would be willing to sell for as little as £13 million – £25 million less than his release clause.
Despite his poor form and these undoubted alarm bells, this is only likely to intensify Newcastle United’s interest. Manager Rafael Benitez may have asked for £100 million to invest in his squad to get them Premier League ready (Daily Mirror) but owner Mike Ashley can hardly resist a bargain like this.
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