Reports from the Portuguese media now say that the deal between Sporting and Everton for the transfer of João Virgínia is ‘concluded’.
Newspaper O Jogo writes that the agreement was closed in the past few hours and the transfer should be made official this week.
Virgínia is now expected in Lisbon on Thursday so he can have his medicals and sign the contract with the Lions.
The goalkeeper is set to join Sporting on a one-year loan, and the Portuguese side will have the chance to make the move permanent if triggering a buying option of €5m. During the spell, each club will pay 50% of his wages.
Virgínia left Benfica in a move to Arsenal’s academy in 2015, and it was in 2018 that he joined Everton, but, in three years at the club, he only managed to make three appearances, all of them last season.
O Jogo says Sporting have been interested in his signing since the end of 2018, and now finally have the chance to get him after the arrival of Rafa Benitez.
The local media seems to be excited with the Lions’ chance to sign him on a permanent deal, suggesting it’s something the Portuguese side are already thinking about.
