West Bromwich’s recent approach for the Sporting striker Islam Slimani has started to be taken very seriously in Portugal.
According to O Jogo, the clubs had contact yesterday, when they exchanged documents (we have no idea what), meaning the transfer could be sealed soon.
O Jogo claims that West Brom were battling against West Ham and Arsenal for the signing, but the London clubs have turned their attention to other targets and left the Baggies in a clear run, with an official offer expected to be made in the next few hours.
But Sporting only want to close the transfer by the start of next week, because they have an important league game against Porto on Sunday and they want their top scorer to be available.
Record also have their own take on the news, and claim that Sporting have a gentleman’s agreement with Slimani meaning they’ll accept €30m offers. This is the amount of the player’s release clause, which expired in June, but due to his desire to leave without wanting any fights with the club, the institution will honour their word.
The newspaper say the Baggies have already offered €20m and €25m, and now are finally ready to bid the €30m.
The player’s desire to play in England has been reported for months, so West Brom is considered to be a good club to take him out of Sporting.
To replace Slimani, Sporting are working to sign the Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost.
