Negotiations break down for Ruben Semedo move to Olympiakos

Talks with Villarreal for the departure of Ruben Semedo to Olympiakos have broken down, according to Greek and Spanish reports.

Ruben Semedo, who was on loan at Primeira Liga outfit Rio Ave season, was set to move on loan to the Greek giants, but negotiations have come to an abrupt and unsatisfactory end.

It now looks increasingly unlikely that the 25-year old’s future lies with Olympiakos, calling into question what is next in store for the former Portugal U21 international.

Greek reports earlier this week were very confident that the deal was on the brink of being closed, and even suggested that his medical would be occurring in the coming day, but for some reason negotiations were unsuccessful.

Semedo has made no secret of the fact that he would like to return to Portugal next season, but is unable to sign for one of Sporting’s rival clubs.

Both Braga and Porto were believed to be interested in the Portuguese centreback, but such a deal proved 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.

Were Villarreal to have sold Semedo to Porto, it is understood that they would then have to pay a fine of €45 million.

As a result, the Portuguese U21 international is likely to move to a club outside of Portugal - and Greek reports had suggested that he was very close to joining Olympiakos in the coming week. Whether that will still occur, though, is far more uncertain.

Therefore, while Ruben Semedo’s first choice would be to continue in Portugal, the fact that none of the leading clubs in the country are able to sign him, a move to the Greek giants seemed a likely proposition.

Olympiakos are currently managed by Pedro Martins, the Portuguese coach joined at the club by a few compatriots, such as goalkeeper Jose Sa and winger Daniel Podence. Last season, both Roderick Miranda and Gil Dias were also at the club on loan.

Semedo 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.