Ruben Semedo linked with high-profile move - but 'Antirival Clause' is proving problematic

After a successful half season on loan at Rio Ave, Ruben Semedo has been a real target of FC Porto this summer.

Semedo, 25, played the entirety of each of Rio Ave's final 14 league matches, and impressed during that time with his physicality and defensive ability.

And with Felipe and Eder Militão leaving Porto this summer, they are looking for recruitment at centreback, with Semedo a priority signing. 

However, a deal will prove to be far from straightforward. That's because, back in 2017 when Ruben Semedo transferred to Villarreal from Sporting, an anti-rival clause was included in the deal.

Such a clause prevents Ruben Semedo from being able to sign for either of Sporting's major rival clubs, Benfica or Porto.

Should Villarreal sell Semedo to Porto, it is understood that they would then have to pay a fine of €45 million as A Bola have advanced, who also indicate that such a clause will last for the length of his original contract with Villarreal - 5 years.

The Portuguese U21 international has not gone without his controversies; after he was arrested for an altercation in Valencia, where he was accused of displaying a pistol in public, just a month later, he was making the headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again, arrested for a second time, this time for even more serious allegations, thought to have assaulted and tied up a man, keeping him captive in his house before then committing burglary on the victim’s home.

Semedo was imprisoned as a result, only released four months later after paying bail of 30,000 euros.

As a result of these controversies, added to injury troubles, Semedo was limited to just 4 appearances for Villarreal, suggesting that he was a gamble that didn’t pay off for the Spanish side.

He has, however, begun to turn his career around, and a chance to represent one of Portugal's biggest clubs in Porto could be on the cards should some sort of compromise be agreed.

Ruben Semedo representing Sporting. Photo author: Вячеслав Евдокимов. License link.