TugaScout is an English-language site reporting on matters associated with Portuguese football by freelance writer Alex Goncalves, offering the latest news, reviews and opinions surrounding the Portuguese League and the Seleção players based abroad.

Tiago Ilori can leave Sporting

Former Liverpool centreback Tiago Ilori only arrived at Sporting in January, but he could already be set to leave.

The sale of Ilori, 26, is one of a number of options Sporting are currently considering.

Having arrived from English Championship club Reading halfway through the campaign, the Portuguese defender only played in a total of 6 Primeira Liga matches, 4 of which he started.

While he did suffer a minor injury during his spell back in the Portuguese capital, ultimately he was still more frequently left on the bench when fit, illustrating that he could be surplus to requirements at Sporting CP.

This is further cemented by the fact that Portuguese international centre half Luis Neto, who has represented his country 19 times, has also joined Sporting on a free transfer from Zenit.

Therefore, should a sufficient offer come in that would offer Sporting a profit on Ilori, they will likely be tempted to sell the player.

Ilori came through Sporting’s academy, but he was quickly sold to Liverpool for a fee in the region of 7.5 million euros.

While at Liverpool, he had loan spells at Granada, Aston Villa and Bordeaux, but failed to make a significant impact at any of those sides.

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