Can Porto’s shrewd transfer strategy see them retain the Primeira Liga?
Porto’s approach to this transfer window runs completely counter to that of their title rivals SL Benfica - but can success be had from a more restrained and shrewd strategy in the market?
Benfica have already completed the signing of Jan Vertonghen, Everton Cebolinha and Luca Waldschmidt alongside highly-rated right back Gilberto and composed goalkeeper Helton Leite, while they are also set to bring in the household name Edinson Cavani in a breathtaking move for Portuguese football.
Porto, meanwhile, have brought in just three players, two of which were playing for lower table Primeira Liga outfits last season - Boavista’s attacking right back Carraca, and Portuguese international goalkeeper Claudio Ramos - both arriving on free transfers.
These two new Porto recruits are likely relative unknowns outside Portugal, though those that follow Liga NOS will know that they are two highly competent players who have come off the back of strong seasons. After all, Claudio Ramos has even earned a couple of call-ups to the Portugal national team despite only playing for perennial relegation candidates Tondela, even briefly taking to the field in a friendly versus Scotland, while Carraca has shown great intensity down the right flank, able to bomb up and down the field as he has regularly shown attacking endeavour and defensive ability.
They also targeted the signing of Nuno Santos from Rio Ave, although the talented winger is now set to move to potential title-rivals Sporting CP, and are also set to complete a move for Iranian international Mehdi Taremi, who has also just had a tremendous season with Rio Ave.
Though Taremi doesn’t come with the same reputation as Cavani, he’s also going to be far greater value for money in terms of his wage demands, and he is also proven quality in the Primeira Liga. And that’s the case for all of Porto’s transfer targets so far - other than young Englishman Danny Loader, who, along with Carraca and Ramos, joined the club on a free transfer, arriving from Championship outfit Reading.
Porto, therefore, have spent little money this term - in fact, to date, they have spent nothing - and though there is plenty of time for that to change, it appears as though Porto are targeting a safe and shrewd transfer market, in complete contrast to Benfica’s approach.
But after winning the Primeira Liga title last year, and with a need to sell before spending significant funds this campaign, Porto are prioritising keeping hold of their stand-out stars rather than strengthening their team - and so far, they have not seen any high-profile departures.
In many ways, that could be of concern, with Porto looking to get some of their fringe players off the books so they can invest in new players, while stars such as Alex Telles, Otavio and Moussa Marega all set to enter their last year of contract; they will need to commit to signing new contracts, or Porto risk losing them for nothing next summer.
Nevertheless, should Porto keep the core of their team together, and not sell too many of their up-and-coming stars that were part of the victorious 2019 Youth League squad, they can be confident of another solid season without harming their future aspirations.
So far, it has been a positive window for Porto, even if there hasn’t yet been any investment, and they can have faith of retaining the league title even if Benfica are pulling out all the stops.
Wilson Manafa. Photo author: Дмитрий Пукалик. License link.
