Sporting Lisbon blocked a late move from West Ham United for Jovane Cabral after raising £20 million via the sale of Wendel to Zenit St Petersburg, according to A Bola.
Coach Ruben Amorim might have viewed the Brazilian ball-winner as a player absolutely integral to his high-octane approach at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
But, with Zenit putting £20 million on the table, the deadline day departure of Wendel was pretty much the definition of the term ‘necessary evil’.
After all, Sporting were suffering financially even before the global health crisis reared its ugly head.
According to A Bola, Wendel’s big-money departure meant that the Portuguese giants were able to resist late bids for the likes of Joao Palhinha, Luis Maximiano and highly-rated attacker Jovane Cabral.
The same publication reported in August that West Ham made an offer for the Cape Verde international. Fulham, meanwhile, failed with a £9 million bid of their own for a player valued closer to £23 million.
While the Cottagers turned their attention to alternative targets, West Ham made one more approach before the window slammed shut on Monday.
But, after Wendel’s sale boosted the coffers to the tune of £20 million, Sporting suddenly found themselves in a position of rare financial strength.
A left-winger who loves to cut inside on to his favoured right boot, Jovane produced six goals and three assists last season as Sporting finished a disappointing fourth in the Primeira Liga.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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