Sporting's Trincão set for €50m move to Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli

Trincão negotiations

Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincão is in advanced negotiations to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, according to Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The deal is expected to be worth around €50 million, including fixed fees and add-ons. Trincão, 26, is currently representing Portugal at the 2026 World Cup and has given his approval to the move. Al Ahli view him as the direct replacement for Riyad Mahrez, whose contract was terminated by the club on Saturday. The final decision on the transfer rests with Sporting.

The financials

The proposed fee would match the €50 million that Wenderson Galeno commanded when he left FC Porto for Al Ittihad in January 2025. The record transfer from Portugal to Saudi Arabia remains Otávio's €60 million move from Porto to Al Nassr in 2023. Trincão's release clause at Sporting is set at €60 million, but the transfer will not reach that figure. In the 2025/26 season, he made 54 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 15 assists. The move would end his four-season stay at Sporting, during which he won two Primeira Liga titles and one Taça de Portugal.

Al Ahli's setup

Al Ahli's sporting director is Portuguese executive Rui Pedro Braz, who previously worked at Benfica from 2021 to 2025. The club is coached by 36-year-old German Matthias Jaissle and finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, also winning the AFC Champions League. The club is based in Jeddah.

Hjulmand also heading for exit

In a separate deal, Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand is close to joining Atlético Madrid. Italian journalist Nicolò Schira reports that the Danish midfielder has agreed personal terms on a contract until June 2031, with the Spanish club in advanced talks over a fee of around €40 million. Sporting, managed by Rui Borges, have already made several signings ahead of the new season and are preparing for two major sales.