Sporting CP Leads Transfer Race for Watford Winger Nestory Irankunda
Sporting CP has initiated negotiations to sign 20-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda from Watford, with a €15 million base offer potentially rising to €20 million. Watford rejected lower bids from Celta Vigo and Hull City, and bought back 10% of Bayern Munich’s sell-on clause. Irankunda, a versatile attacker who played at the 2026 World Cup, also interests Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, and others. Sporting aims to finalize the deal quickly to avoid an auction.
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Sporting CP Faces Nottingham Forest with Four Absences; Transfer Updates on Irankunda and Diomande
Sporting CP manager Rui Borges will be without Ba, Debast, Nuno Santos, and Bruno Ramos for the final pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest. In transfer news, Sporting has submitted a €15M plus €5M bonus offer for Watford attacker Irankunda but refuses to increase it despite Watford's resistance. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest is negotiating for Sporting center-back Diomande, with Rui Borges having the final say on his availability. Additionally, Eduardo Quaresma has signed a contract renewal with Sporting until 2031, maintaining his €80M release clause, and expressed happiness about staying at the club where he has been since age nine.
Read sourceWatford Demands Higher Bid from Sporting CP for Irankunda; Sporting Refuses to Increase €20 Million Offer
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, the transfer of 20-year-old forward Irankunda from Watford to Sporting CP remains deadlocked. Sporting CP has submitted a fixed offer of €15 million plus €5 million in performance-related bonuses, totaling €20 million, and has stated it will not increase the bid. Watford, aware of interest from other clubs, is attempting to spark a bidding war but has only received an offer from Sporting, which comes with an expiration date. The player is not expected to finalize the move until next week, just before Sporting's league debut against Estrela da Amadora on August 8. Sporting's management is determined to fulfill head coach Rui Borges' request for a more experienced left-wing reinforcement, as academy players may start in the opening match.
Read sourceWatford Stretches the Rope for Irankunda: Talks with Sporting Continue Without Agreement
English club Watford is pushing hard to sign Australian winger Nestory Irankunda, but negotiations with Portuguese club Sporting continue without an agreement. Watford has no other proposals on the table. Irankunda has landed in England to monitor the talks. Sporting is reportedly accelerating efforts to complete the transfer for 20 million euros. The article also includes other Sporting transfer news: Brazilian pivot Felipe Rufino is reportedly on his way to Sporting, left-back Maxi Araújo is likely to leave next season, and Nuno Santos was presented at Alvalade. The publication date is July 26, 2026.
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Sporting CP to Sign Nestory Irankunda from Watford for €15 Million Plus Add-ons
Sporting CP is finalizing the transfer of 20-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda from English Championship club Watford. The deal is valued at €15 million upfront, with an additional €5 million in performance-related bonuses. Irankunda has agreed to a five-year contract with an €80 million release clause. The player, who contributed 4 goals and 4 assists in 42 matches last season, has signaled his move by removing Watford references from his social media and adopting Sporting's green-and-white colors. He is versatile, capable of playing on both wings and as an attacking midfielder. Sporting's management is confident of completing the signing in time to present him to fans tomorrow.
Read sourceSporting Expects to Close Irankunda Deal Today, Winger Also Signals Green and White
Portuguese club Sporting CP expects to finalize the transfer of winger Irankunda from Watford today, with a deal valued at 15 million euros plus performance-related objectives. The player has also signaled his willingness to join the club, giving 'green and white' signals (referring to Sporting's colors). However, the inclusion of specific targets in the agreement created some resistance during the final stages of negotiations. The transfer would bring the Australian winger to Portugal soon, pending the conclusion of talks.
Read sourceSporting CP to Sign Watford Winger Irankunda for €15M Plus Bonuses; Bayern Holds 40% Sell-On Clause
Portuguese club Sporting CP is finalizing the transfer of 20-year-old Watford winger Irankunda for a fee of €15 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The deal meets Watford's demands and is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Bayern Munich retains a 40% sell-on clause from a previous transfer. Irankunda, an Australian international (Socceroo), is currently on vacation and will travel to Lisbon for a medical examination. Sporting's management views him as their top choice to strengthen the winger position, believing they can fully develop his potential.
Watford Buys Back 10% of Irankunda's Sell-On Clause from Bayern Munich
Sky Sports reports that Watford has rejected offers of approximately £10 million from Sporting CP and Celta Vigo for forward Nestory Irankunda, as both bids fell well below the club's valuation of the Australian international. In a separate development, Watford has bought back 10% of the sell-on clause for Irankunda from Bayern Munich. Previously, when the player signed, Bayern had included a 50% sell-on clause and a buyback clause. With the buyback clause now expired, Watford renegotiated with owner Gino Pozzo, reducing Bayern's sell-on clause to 40%. No new bids have been submitted by the interested clubs after the rejection.
Read sourceCelta Vigo's £10 Million Bid for Australian Winger Irankunda Rejected by Watford
According to reports from England, Watford has rejected a £10 million offer from Spanish La Liga club Celta Vigo for Australian winger Nestory Irankunda. The 18-year-old, who impressed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is a target for Celta as they look to strengthen their attacking options. The rejection indicates Watford's high valuation of the player, who has been a revelation in international football. Further negotiations may follow as the transfer window progresses.
Read sourceSporting Lisbon Accelerates Transfer for Nestory Irankunda with 20 Million Euro Offer
Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon is accelerating efforts to sign Australian international Nestory Irankunda from Watford, presenting a proposal worth 15 million euros plus performance-related objectives that could total 20 million euros. Watford, which paid Bayern Munich 4 million euros for the player a year ago, is studying the offer. The English club has already rejected a 10 million euro bid from Hull City. Irankunda, a 20-year-old winger who can play on both flanks, has attracted interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, West Ham, and Fiorentina. Sporting aims to close the deal quickly to avoid an auction. The player, currently on vacation after featuring in the World Cup, has expressed his desire to join a top club. If signed, he would compete for a spot with Jesse Derry and Flávio Gonçalves at Sporting.
Sporting CP Offers €20 Million for Australian Winger Nestory Irankunda
Portuguese club Sporting CP has submitted a €15 million base offer, potentially rising to €20 million with bonuses, to sign 20-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda from Watford. The article details Irankunda's remarkable journey from being born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to his rise through Australian football, a €3.5 million transfer to Bayern Munich, and subsequent move to Watford for €4 million. At Watford, he became a key player in the Championship, attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, Crystal Palace, and Hull City. Sporting CP sees him as an ideal left-wing reinforcement fitting their tactical style. The club aims to finalize the deal quickly as his World Cup performances have increased interest from other clubs.
Read sourceSporting CP Begins Negotiations to Sign Watford Winger Nestory Irankunda
Portuguese club Sporting CP has initiated negotiations to acquire 20-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda from Watford, according to Record Portugal. Irankunda, who is under contract with Watford until 2030, fits the profile sought by Sporting's management for a versatile attacker capable of playing on both flanks, as a number 10, or as a second striker. The player recently represented Australia at the 2026 World Cup. The move comes as Sporting looks to bolster its attack, with the club reportedly undergoing a 'salary detox' following the departure of Trincão and an impending exit of a left winger. The article also notes ongoing pre-season friendlies for Sporting, including matches against Portimonense and Strasbourg.
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