Francisco Trincão Delays Move to Al Ahli, Eyes Manchester City Transition

• Sporting winger Francisco Trincão is yet to accept a move to Al Ahli, despite the Saudi club already agreeing a fee with the Portuguese champions.

• Manchester City remain shortlisted by the 26-year-old, who favours a switch to the Premier League over the Saudi Pro League.

• City have not opened formal talks with Sporting, leaving the Portugal international in limbo as he holds out for a concrete approach.

Manchester City remain on Francisco Trincão’s radar as the Sporting winger continues to delay a move to Al Ahli, holding out in hope that interest from the Premier League develops into something more concrete.

City are set for a busy summer as Enzo Maresca takes over as manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure and the Blues navigate life beyond Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Nathan Ake – with many first-team stars also headed for the exit door.

Advertisement

There remains uncertainty over the future(s) of each of Ruben Dias, Rodri, Rico Lewis, Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and James Trafford as City sporting director Hugo Viana charters a course for a title-winning Manchester City side for the seasons to come.

Hugo Viana handed transfer blow as Al Ahli reach agreement with Sporting Lisbon for Man City target

Report: Trincão Awaiting Man City or Tottenham Swoop

According to Portuguese outlet Record, whose information has been relayed by Sport Witness, Al Ahli have already reached an agreement with Sporting worth around €45 million (£37.9 million), though Trincão is understood to be delaying final confirmation.

City have emerged as one of two English clubs – along with Spurs – on Trincão’s shortlist, with the winger reportedly still hopeful he will buy enough time for a formal approach to materialise.

Advertisement

There is one significant obstacle – according to the report, Sporting have yet to receive contact from City over a deal and the Premier League side’s interest is unconfirmed for now.

What is the Wider Context of Man City’s Interest in Trincão?

One thing for sure is that City are already known to be canvassing the winger market, with reinforcements out wide a stated priority following the expected departure of Savinho.

For now, Trincão finds himself in a standoff of his own making – a lucrative, effectively agreed switch to Saudi Arabia on one side, and the possibility, however unconfirmed, of City or a rival Premier League suitor moving for him on the other.

Advertisement

The former Barcelona man – who Premier League fans will remember from his loan spell at Wolves – made the switch to Lisbon in 2022 and has racked up 35 goals and 33 assists in four Primeira Liga seasons since.

Manchester City register interest in £42M Sporting Lisbon superstar – Attacking exit key for summer swoop

A client of superagent Jorge Mendes, Trincão was a standout last season in a central attacking midfield role as Sporting finished second in the table.