Which players from Portugal's Euro 2020 squad could be on the move this summer?
Major international tournaments often lead to an opportunity for players to prove themselves on the continental - or even world - stage, and earn big-money moves at club level as a result. And this European Championship should be no different.
Indeed, in each of the past five Euros, from 2000 to 2016, at least 7 players in Portugal’s 23-man squads have ended up moving to a new outfit, be it during, in the build-up to, or immediately after the tournament has occured. Euro 2000 was a particularly busy competition for transfers, with 11 Portuguese players moving club in and around the championship.
By comparison, at Euro 2020, at the time of writing only one member of Portugal’s expanded 26-man squad has so far earned a summer move - third-choice goalkeeper Rui Silva, who has swapped Granada for Real Betis. (NOTE: This number has since risen to two, with Andre Silva completing a move to RB Leipzig since the publication of this article). Rui Patricio also looks as though he is edging closer to switching allegiances this summer, set to move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to AS Roma. But still, we would expect at least a few more to follow in the footsteps of this goalkeeping duo if this is to be as busy a transfer window as we’ve come to expect during major international tournaments.
Chart updated on 3rd July.
It therefore raises the question; who are the players who are most likely to be changing clubs this season? And where could they go?
The likely ‘non-movers’
To determine the most likely players to leave, it is perhaps best to start by reviewing the players that are most likely settled in their current location and will therefore, in all probability, be remaining where they are for the 2021-22 season.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, central defensive partners Ruben Dias and Pepe at Manchester City and Porto respectively, and Nelson Semedo at Wolverhampton Wanderers are all fully expected to remain where they are for the upcoming campaign, as is true for Joao Felix at Atletico Madrid, Diogo Jota at Liverpool and even Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, even if the latter has been tentatively linked with moves elsewhere.
Other than that, though, there aren’t too many others that you would be comfortable in guaranteeing will be playing for the same club next season as they were before the Euros got underway.
We could perhaps rule out the French-based players in Anthony Lopes, Danilo Pereira and Jose Fonte moving on too, Lopes and Fonte seemingly settled at Lyon and Lille, and Danilo having only joined PSG last summer. And Sporting seem pretty determined to keep hold of Pedro Goncalves, so he doesn’t seem too likely to be on the move - though his club teammates Nuno Mendes and Joao Palhinha could be another story. Rafa Silva at Benfica also seems one of the less likely ones to be entering the transfer market this summer, as does Raphael Guerreiro at Borussia Dortmund, leaving us with no fewer than 11 other players who could be moving this transfer window (not including Rui Silva and Rui Patricio).
The Contenders
Nuno Mendes
There is almost an expectation that Nuno Mendes will be leaving Sporting in the near future, as soon as this summer perhaps the safest bet. No doubt Sporting would like to keep hold of the 19-year old talent, but as one of their most valuable assets and with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool actively interested in the youngster, Sporting may find it difficult to resist selling if a substantial offer arrives.
Mendes has a release clause at Sporting of 70 million euros - in itself a reasonable price for one of the most promising young full backs in all of world football - though Sporting are thought to be willing to entertain fees in the region of 50 million, a virtual bargain for the young revelation.
Diogo Dalot
Portugal’s replacement for Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, is one that certainly could be moving this summer. After an incredibly encouraging loan spell at AC Milan, where he was given a good level of playing time and was handed the opportunity to develop as a footballer, he returns to Old Trafford.
However, how long he will remain at Manchester United remains to be seen, with another loan spell - or even a permanent move - potentially on the cards.
Joao Palhinha
An impeccable season from Joao Palhinha has likely earned him plenty of admirers - and it’s crazy to think that Sporting were actually willing to listen to offers for him in the region of 15 million euros last year. His valuation will have sky-rocketed now, but it will surely not deter interested parties, with Palhinha having been so integral to Sporting’s unlikely title triumph.
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves has been linked with plenty of clubs during his time at Wolves, more recently Arsenal, though there are sure to be plenty of others too. Liverpool are one side that have previously been keen on his signature, and other clubs, both in England and abroad, will be exploring the possibility of signing him. It seems more likely that he will be going than staying as Wolves undergo a transition from Nuno into the Lage era.
William Carvalho
One of the mysteries of football in recent years is that William Carvalho has been unable to secure regular game time at Real Betis. Though he did have a disappointing match versus Germany at Euro 2020, there is no doubt that Carvalho has been an integral part of Portugal’s system under the management of Fernando Santos, and playing a more box to box role for his nation has brought the best out of him. So comfortable and classy on the ball and so difficult to tackle, when utilised correctly and fully match fit, he is a top class central midfielder that could do a job for any club in the world. But a move is needed to revitalise his career.
Sergio Oliveira
A sensation for FC Porto last season, Oliveira fully lived up to his potential, leading by example in central midfield and really stepping up in the absence of the departing Danilo Pereira. A master from the penalty spot and from set pieces in general, Oliveira was excellent in both the defensive phase of the game, and at the other end of the field too, and Porto may be open to selling him while his stock is so high.
Juventus, who Oliveira scored a wonderful low, drilled freekick against in the Champions League, and Fiorentina have both been linked with him, and Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to be interested. With much attention being paid to the 29-year old, a move seems like a real possibility.
Renato Sanches
A quality season for Renato Sanches, with his Lille side defying the odds to win the French Ligue 1 title, has so far been followed up by a tremendous Euros campaign so far, with his introduction to the squad almost single-handedly transforming the energy and fortunes of the Portugal national team. They looked so average in the first half against Germany, but his introduction and his presence in the clash with France really made Portugal look like a completely different team. With Lille likely to be looking to raise funds for the upcoming season, Sanches will almost certainly be available for the correct price - and it is a guarantee that plenty of clubs will be keen on his signature.
Joao Moutinho
Portugal’s second most capped player in history has stepped up again for the national team this tournament, and it is clear to see that he still has plenty to offer despite now being 34 years of age. With FC Porto very keen on bringing him back to the club - particularly if Sergio Oliveira leaves - it looks highly possible that his time at Molineux is coming to an end. A final hurrah in Portugal and a chance to play in the Champions League would be a highly tempting prospect for the Euro 2016 champion.
Goncalo Guedes
Guedes had a mixed season at Valencia; it didn’t start in the best of manners, Guedes only scoring one goal in his opening 18 league appearances for the club - but he ended very strongly, scoring 4 and contributing a further 5 assists in his final 13 matches. With Valencia having been letting quite a few key players leave over the last couple of years, they may do the same with Guedes this summer. Wolves are one club who are reportedly interested.
Bernardo Silva
There is no denying that Bernardo Silva is a supremely talented footballer, arguably one of Portugal’s three best active attacking players. Pep Guardiola’s admiration and adulation for Bernardo Silva is well known too. The problem is, however, that game time at Manchester City hasn’t been as regular as it perhaps should be for a player of his calibre - and that’s before City inevitably strengthen their squad this summer. Silva could therefore be sold this window to raise funds to sign some of their targets, including Harry Kane.
Andre Silva (SINCE MOVED - Eintracht Frankfurt to RB Leipzig)
An incredible season for Andre Silva at Eintracht Frankfurt, with his 28 league goals seeing him break the club record for most goals in a single top-flight campaign. It ensured he was the second top scorer in the German Bundesliga in 2020-21, with only Robert Lewandowski managing to score more. It is understandable, therefore, that some very high-profile clubs have been linked with the 25-year old, who hasn’t featured as much for Portugal at Euro 2020 as he perhaps deserves to. But now living up to the hype that surrounded him several years ago when he burst onto the scene with Porto, it will be fascinating to see if and where he goes this summer.
