Tottenham’s long-running links with Francisco Trincão appear to have reached their conclusion.
For weeks, the Sporting attacker had been repeatedly associated with a move to North London. Meanwhile, Manchester City were also credited with monitoring his situation as he weighed up a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Now, according to Correio da Manhã, the decision has finally been made.
Trincão has accepted Al Ahli’s proposal and is set to complete his move to the Saudi Pro League. This brings an end to speculation over a possible Premier League return.
Trincão accepts Saudi riches
The Portuguese newspaper report the 26-year-old has agreed a four-year contract worth around €48m (£40.4m) in wages across its duration.
That equates to approximately €12m (£10.1m) per season, a financial package no European club appeared willing to match.
Sporting will also receive a significant fee. According to Correio da Manhã, Al Ahli will pay €39.4m (£33.2m) upfront, with a further €4.3m (£3.6m) available in bonuses. Moreover, the Saudi club will also cover the solidarity payments linked to the transfer.
The Lisbon side are therefore set to bank around €40m immediately from the deal.
The report adds that Trincão, who had been expected back for pre-season on July 17, will instead complete the formalities of his move over the coming hours.
Premier League wait ends
Manchester City and Tottenham featured every other day in domestic reporting throughout the window. Spurs were viewed as a particularly good tactical fit. In addition, City reportedly considered a move if Savinho departed.
More recently, reports suggested Al Ahli had already reached an agreement with Sporting, with Trincão delaying his final decision while waiting to see whether interest from England would become concrete.
According to Correio da Manhã, that wait is now over. The Portugal international has decided the Saudi offer is simply too good to turn down.
Trincão leaves Sporting after four successful seasons, having arrived following Ruben Amorim’s insistence on signing him from Barcelona.
He departs as a two-time Portuguese champion after producing the best campaign of his career last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 15 assists in 54 appearances.
