Sporting bid 10 million euros for Watford's Irankunda as Gonçalves edges toward Saudi exit

Sporting's summer overhaul

Sporting Lisbon, under coach Rui Borges, continues a sweeping rebuild for the 2026/27 season. After earlier attempts to sign Deportivo's Yeremay Hernández, Como's Assane Diao, Toulouse's Yann Gboho and Strasbourg's Martial Godo were priced out, the club's SAD, led by president Frederico Varandas, turned to Watford winger Nestory Irankunda. On 20 July, Sporting initiated formal contacts with the English Championship side, and by 21 July the club had submitted a concrete proposal worth 10 million euros, a sum that could climb to 13 million if performance-related objectives are met.

Irankunda's rise

Nestory Irankunda, born in Kigoma, Tanzania, is a 20-year-old Australian international winger. He began to attract attention at Adelaide United before joining Bayern Munich's academy in 2024. He never broke into the senior side, spending time with the reserves and on loan at Grasshoppers in the 2024/25 season. Watford paid 3 million euros for his permanent transfer in the summer of 2025. In his debut Championship campaign, Irankunda recorded 4 goals and 4 assists across 42 appearances, performances that earned him a spot in Australia's World Cup 2026 squad.

At the tournament, under coach Tony Popovic, Irankunda played in all four of Australia's matches and started three. He contributed either a goal or an assist (sources differ) in the Socceroos' 2-0 group-stage win over Turkey. Australia advanced to the round of 16, where they were eliminated by Egypt on penalties.

The bid and the numbers

Sporting's initial offer of 10 million euros, with add-ons up to 13 million, confronts a club that has already turned down a similar-sized bid from Hull City. Watford value the player at 15 million euros, according to reports, even though the specialist portal Transfermarkt sets his market worth at 8 million. Irankunda's contract at Vicarage Road runs until 2030. Sporting views him as a market opportunity, a versatile asset capable of operating on both flanks and in the number 10 role or as a second forward, all while fitting Borges's tactical plan.

Gonçalves edges closer to the door

While the pursuit of Irankunda gathers pace, Pedro Gonçalves is on the verge of leaving Alvalade. The winger is wanted by Al-Diriyah, a club newly promoted to the Saudi top flight, where his former Benfica coach Bruno Lage is now in charge. The negotiations are sufficiently advanced that Sporting, according to TSF, may still enter the market for another attacking midfielder if Gonçalves's departure is finalised in the coming weeks.