There’s good news coming from Portugal for Everton, Newcastle, Southampton, West Brom or whoever wants to sign Ruben Semedo from Sporting.
Having started the season as the first option to play alongside Sebastian Coates in central defence, Semedo was far from being on the transfer list at that point. But as reported by A Bola on Monday, things have changed and the player is now negotiable.
Mistakes made by the defender in the past few months saw manager Jorge Jesus send him to the bench, and with Semedo allegedly attracting interest from England, the club would now consider bids for him.
On Saturday, the very same A Bola said Newcastle made an approach for the player., also recalling interest from Everton and Southampton. These claims were made a few days after West Brom were said to want him too.
When the Portuguese press claims a player is negotiable, it probably means the club won’t push for the release clause, which is a good start. And it’s clear they’re keen to sell him.
Semedo, 23 years of age, has a €45m release clause, and although A Bola doesn’t seem to know how much he could leave for, it will certainly be a lot less.
The claim of an approach from Newcastle sounded confident, with Rafael Benitez’s club reported to have contacted Semedo’s entourage. West Brom links may have been more opportunist, after Tony Pulis confirmed he’s been scouting Semedo’s teammate William Carvalho.
