Swansea City striker Žan Vipotnik is back on Sporting’s agenda, and this time there is a clearer route towards a potential move.
The Slovenia international was linked with both Sporting and Benfica during the first half of the year, as we covered at the time. Neither club advanced those initial approaches into serious talks, but at least Sporting kept him in their shortlist.
Now there appears to be a condition which could change that for the Lisbon side. They would move for Vipotnik if Luis Suárez leaves, with the Colombian a target for Newcastle United and a few Turkish clubs.
Local insider Leonino reports Sporting have identified the Swansea player as one of their main alternatives should they receive an offer they cannot refuse for Suárez.
Swansea man remains on Sporting’s list
Žan Vipotnik has therefore stayed on Sporting’s radar despite nothing developing earlier in the year.
The 24-year-old is under contract at Swansea until June 2028. Leonino says a deal would likely cost more than €20m (£17.3m).
That’s a significant investment and Sporting aren’t currently planning to make it without first selling Suárez. The Colombian remains an important player for Rui Borges, so the Portuguese club aren’t actively looking for an exit.
However, his agent Fali Ramadani has been offering him around to several clubs. Sporting know the situation could move quickly if interested sides miss out on their priority targets.
Suárez exit could trigger Vipotnik move
Suárez has also had a slightly complicated few weeks in Lisbon, as we covered last week. Sporting hope the end of the window will calm everything down. Still, they’re preparing in case a big offer arrives before then.
That contingency plan leads directly back to Žan Vipotnik. Sporting would apparently be prepared to go beyond €20m (£17.3m) for the Swansea striker, but only if Suárez leaves first.
So, unlike the links earlier this year, there is now a fairly obvious chain of events required for Sporting to make their move.
A sizeable offer for Suárez could give Sporting the money and the need to return for Vipotnik. Swansea would then have a decision to make over a player who has remained on the Portuguese club’s radar for months.
