Coventry City now have a better idea of what it would take to sign Porto’s Francisco Moura before the transfer window closes.
The left-back has been on Coventry’s radar throughout the summer and the Portuguese club are open to a sale. Thursday’s print edition of A Bola now reports Porto
have set the bar at around €10m (£8.6m).
That figure has so far stopped interested clubs from making more concrete progress.
A Bola specifically names Coventry among the sides to have made enquiries for Moura. Fiorentina and Deportivo La Coruña have also approached Porto about the 27-year-old.
There’s plenty of interest elsewhere too. Hamburg have been linked with Moura in recent days and the newspaper confirms the German club are watching his situation. Their interest actually dates back to June.
Porto won’t drop their demands
As we previously covered, Moura appears to have the more concrete market of Porto’s two current left-backs. Zaidu Sanusi has attracted interest from Al-Qadsiah, but Porto are heading into the final days of the window prepared to keep both players if their demands aren’t met.
That also affects their own recruitment plans. Francesco Farioli and Porto have identified left-back as a position they could strengthen. However, A Bola says another player is unlikely to arrive unless Moura or Zaidu leaves first.
Souza, the 20-year-old Brazilian currently at Tottenham, is among the options Porto have identified for the position.
One reason Porto may want to keep him
There is another detail which could complicate matters for Coventry. Moura has lost his place under Farioli and is yet to feature in an official match this season. Previous reports claimed he asked to leave.
Even so, he has some extra value to Porto when it comes to their Champions League squad. He qualifies as a locally trained player.
A Bola points out that this has become more important following Rodrigo Mora’s departure, with Porto having to submit their Champions League list by September 2nd.
That gives Porto another reason to stand firm in negotiations despite Moura’s lack of minutes.
For Coventry, there is a route to signing Moura before the deadline, but Porto appear determined to receive something around €10m (£8.6m) before opening that door.
