Saudi Clubs Compete to Sign Sporting CP Star Pedro Gonçalves for €25-30M
Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Diriyah are vying to sign Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Gonçalves (Pote) for €25-30 million. The 28-year-old Portuguese international, a father of twins, is weighing family stability against a lucrative move. Sporting has already surpassed €116 million in summer sales, including Trincão to Al Ahli. Gonçalves’ departure is imminent after six seasons, 97 goals, and three league titles.
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Al-Ittihad Hijacks Pedro Gonçalves Transfer from Al Diriyah for €30 Million
According to breaking reports from Portugal's three major newspapers, Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Gonçalves is set to move to Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ittihad hijacking the deal from Al Diriyah, a club coached by Portuguese manager Bruno Lage. The transfer, valued at €30 million, is expected to be completed before the end of this week. As a result, Gonçalves is highly unlikely to travel with Sporting CP to Algarve for their final pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest on Friday. The move represents a significant loss for Sporting CP, as Gonçalves has been one of the club's most influential players over the past decade.
Read sourcePortuguese Midfielder Gonçalves to Join Saudi Club Al Diriyah for €30 Million Transfer Fee
Portuguese midfielder Gonçalves, a 28-year-old creative player from Vidago, is set to leave Sporting CP after six seasons. He will join Saudi Super League club Al Diriyah, coached by Bruno Lage, on a three-year contract with an annual salary of 10 million euros. The transfer fee is set at 30 million euros, pending final agreement between the clubs. Gonçalves will have the opportunity to bid farewell to Sporting CP fans in the upcoming pre-season friendly against Monaco, part of the Five Violins Cup. The news was reported by Portugal's three major newspapers, with source attribution to Record.
Bruno Lage's Al Diriyah Signs Gana Gueye from Everton
The article reports multiple football transfer and match updates from Saudi Arabia as of July 24, 2026. Al Diriyah, coached by Bruno Lage, has signed Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye from Premier League club Everton. In another Saudi move, midfielder João Novais will reinforce Al Namja, where he will be coached by Jorge Mendonça. Additionally, Benfica B won a friendly match against Al Nassr in Seixal, with goals from Tiago Rodrigues and Guilherme Gaspar. Finally, Sporting CP's creative midfielder Pote (Pedro Gonçalves) is preparing to leave the club, with Al Diriyah leading the race for his signing; a farewell event is planned at Estádio José Alvalade during the Cinco Violinos Trophy match against Monaco.
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Sporting CP Set to Exceed €100 Million with Pedro Gonçalves Sale
Sporting CP is on the verge of surpassing €100 million in total transfer revenue this summer, following the expected departure of star forward Pedro Gonçalves. The 28-year-old, under contract until 2030, has reportedly decided to seek a new challenge. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, agent Jorge Mendes is managing the transfer, with several Saudi Pro League clubs interested, notably Al Diriyah, coached by Bruno Lage. Sporting hopes to receive between €20 million and €30 million for Gonçalves, adding to the €80 million already secured from the sales of Morten Hjulmand to Atlético Madrid and Francisco Trincão to Al Ahli. Gonçalves, a key figure in Sporting's revival, leaves after 239 appearances, 97 goals, 66 assists, and three Portuguese league titles.
Al Nassr's Flight to Lisbon Canceled; Saudi Clubs Pursue Sporting Players
Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr had its scheduled flight from Riyadh to Lisbon canceled, delaying their travel plans. The article also reports on multiple transfer developments involving Saudi clubs and Portuguese players: Al Diriyah, coached by Bruno Lage, is advancing in negotiations to sign Sporting CP's creative midfielder Pedro Gonçalves (Pote) for a potential €30 million fee. Additionally, Sporting has completed the sale of Francisco Trincão to Al Ahli for €40 million, with Trincão expressing excitement about joining the Saudi club. Other rumors include Al Diriyah's interest in Braga's Ricardo Horta. Sporting's total sales have surpassed €116 million, including Trincão and Morten Hjulmand transfers.
Read sourceAl-Diriyah Leads Race for Sporting's Pedro Gonçalves (Pote) with €30M Bid
According to Portuguese sports newspaper Record, Saudi Arabian club Al-Diriyah, managed by Bruno Lage, has taken the lead in the race to sign Sporting CP's creative midfielder Pedro Gonçalves, known as Pote. Sporting's board (SAD) is aiming to secure €30 million from the transfer of the Portuguese international. The report comes amid a busy transfer window for Sporting, which has already surpassed €116 million in sales, including the €40 million transfer of Trincão to Al Ahli. The article also covers other Sporting news, including the integration of new signing Issa Doumbia and team preparations for a match against Strasbourg.
Read sourceSport TV: Sporting CP's Pedro Gonçalves to Join Saudi Club Diriyah FC for €25 Million
Portuguese outlet Sport TV exclusively reports that Sporting CP winger Pedro Gonçalves is set to accept an offer from Saudi Super League club Diriyah FC, coached by Bruno Lage. The transfer fee is expected to be between €20 million and €25 million. Gonçalves' farewell match is anticipated to be Sporting's upcoming game against Strasbourg. The news was sourced from Record and published by Hupu on July 19th.
Al-Ittihad Leads Race for Sporting CP's Pedro Gonçalves as Player Weighs Family Factors
Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Saudi club Al-Ittihad is leading the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Gonçalves, known as 'Pote'. The 28-year-old Portuguese international, after six years at Sporting, agrees with the club that it is time for a new chapter. Sporting is willing to sell, and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund has paid a substantial sum to agency Gestifute to facilitate the transfer. However, Gonçalves is delaying his decision until after the Algarve training camp, as his agent finalizes an offer from a 'completely different world'. The player is gathering information about life in Saudi Arabia, as he is the father of one-year-old twins and prioritizes a stable living environment for them. His current contract runs until 2030, but his departure could be imminent.
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