FC Porto saw several of their key transfer operations fail this summer, in a window that closed with the squad apparently set. The information on ten missed targets for Portugal's big three clubs was compiled by DAZN. This transfer period unfolded as Sérgio Conceição's team started the season perfectly, leading the Primeira Liga with 15 points after five consecutive wins.
FC Porto made an aggressive late push for a top centre-back. The club tried to sign Daniele Gatti from Juventus, presenting a proposal involving a loan with an option to buy around 18 million euros. However, Juventus rejected the terms of the deal. It was reported that Gatti himself wanted to move to Dragão to play in the Champions League. The deadline for European competition registrations passed and, with it, the deal was definitively off.
Another major saga involved Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. André Villas-Boas, president of FC Porto, guaranteed he had not moved for the star, stressing that social media sometimes feeds "unrealistic dreams". However, at the end of July, Lewandowski's agent, Pini Zahavi, told a different version. Referring to the Dragons, he assured: "They wanted him a lot, trying to convince him until the last minute. But 'Lewy' was not interested in FC Porto".
The club was also monitoring young Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Yirenkyi from Nordsjælland. The powerful 20-year-old was on their radar, but the Danish club pointed to a fee of more than 25 million euros. Yirenkyi ended up moving to newly-promoted Premier League side Coventry for 27 million euros, closing another door for the blue and whites.
Benfica and Sporting also saw several operations fail. Sporting, for the second year running, made Deportivo winger Yeremay their big summer saga. Talk of an offer around 30 million euros emerged, but the Spaniards remained inflexible and the Lions refused to go further, later turning to Irankunda. Another saga involved Famalicão centre-back Ba. Benfica coveted the player, but the club asked for around 20 million. Ba moved to Strasbourg but reportedly failed his medical, and Sporting ended up paying 21.25 million euros for the defender.
Sporting was also the Portuguese club most interested in João Palhinha early in the window, but Bayern never made it easy and the player was also waiting on a potential move to Tottenham. The Lions eventually moved away. Benfica, meanwhile, entered the scene, was patient, and at the end of August signed the midfielder trained at Alcochete for 14 million euros plus 5 million in add-ons. Sporting won the race for Veneza midfielder Tessmann for a fixed 20 million plus 6 million in add-ons, a player also referenced by Benfica.
Benfica also missed out on Almería midfielder-winger Arribas in a deal pointed at over 20 million euros, and centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton. Talks for the Englishman were advanced, with Benfica willing to reach 20 million, but Southampton wanted a profit after paying 23.5 million to Manchester City. The deal fell through and Harwood-Bellis moved to Aston Villa for nearly 30 million, leading Benfica to turn to Clément Lenglet and Alessandro Circati.
With the market closed, FC Porto now focuses on what they have on the pitch, and the results are impressive. The team leads the Primeira Liga with a perfect record of five wins in five games, amassing 15 points. The attack has scored 11 goals and the defence has conceded only one, ensuring a +10 goal difference. This start leaves the Dragons with a five-point lead over second place, which is precisely Sporting CP, one of their direct rivals in this market analysis.
The team's next challenge is away at Casa Pia on September 12th. The grasshoppers currently occupy 18th place in the league table, representing an opportunity for Porto to consolidate their leadership. Fans can follow the team's progress and check the updated squad list, as well as the complete standings table, on the club's official website. The full focus is now on maintaining the unbeaten run and utilising the available squad for the season's objectives.
