Stoke City’s move for Djibril Soumaré is edging closer to completion. Fresh details from Portugal have now shed light on how the deal has been structured between the Championship side and Braga.
We already covered reports from France and Portugal explaining that Stoke had agreed a deal worth around €4-5m (£3.4-4.3m) for the midfielder. He spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.
Now Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Braga will receive €3.91m (£3.4m) from the transfer. Also, the Portuguese club have also secured 20% of any future sale of the Senegalese midfielder.
Braga keeping faith in Soumaré
That additional clause suggests Braga still believe Soumaré can increase his market value in England. However, he has no place in their own plans.
The 23-year-old came through Braga’s system. He joined the first team on a permanent basis without the club paying a transfer fee.
That means the Portuguese side will bank an immediate profit while also giving themselves the chance to benefit if Stoke eventually sell him on for a higher price.
Soumaré made 27 appearances for Sheffield United last season, playing just over 1,200 minutes in all competitions. Although he fell out of Chris Wilder’s plans towards the end of the campaign, his performances were enough to convince Stoke that he is worth investing in.
Sheffield United missed their chance
The move also closes the book on Sheffield United’s involvement. As we covered earlier, the Blades would have been obliged to buy Soumaré for €8.5m (£7.3m). This obligation would have applied if they had secured promotion to the Premier League.
Instead, they finished 13th in the Championship, allowing the midfielder to return to Braga and opening the door for Stoke to strike a deal worth less than half of that figure.
With medical formalities already expected to take place, Record’s latest information suggests the financial details have now been finalised and Stoke’s latest summer signing should soon become official.
