At £9m, Girona striker Portu looked like a real bargain for Premier League duo West Ham United or Brighton and Hove Albion.
Cristian Portu was never likely to stick around.
After two seasons in La Liga, a dramatic collapse saw Girona’s top flight status disappear as the Catalan outfit were relegated to the second tier in May. And alongside Uruguayan international Cristhian Stuani, it seemed only a matter of time before Portu bid farewell to the Montilivi.
A move to the Premier League appeared to be on the cards too with El Mundo Deportivo stating that both West Ham United and Brighton were keen on a the 5ft 10ins goal-poacher.
And with good reason. The Hammers have already lost Lucas Perez to Alaves while Andy Carroll has gone too. Portu, meanwhile, is the type of natural-born finisher they needed, scoring 10 goals in a struggling Girona side in 2018/19.
And you won’t need to be reminded how much Brighton need a new centre-forward. The fact that they remain totally over-relaint on a 35-year-old Glenn Murray speaks volumes.
But West Ham and Brighton will need to look elsewhere. Because, as reported by AS, Portu has now swapped Catalonia for San Sebastian, joining Real Sociedad in a deal worth around £9 million.
“I accept the challenge and the opportunity that Real Sociedad have offered me, wearing the txuri-urdin shirt is a great responsibility,” Portu said on Twitter.
“I know what the club represents for her fans, but I’m sure I will not disappoint you.”
He better not. Portu has officially become the fourth most expensive player in Sociedad’s history behind Asier Illarramendi, Carlos Vela and former Newcastle ace Mikel Merino.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
