FC Porto has secured the signing of Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez and retains interest in Brazilian teenager Gabriel Mec during a busy transfer window. The news was reported by the Portuguese sports press and covered by Transfermarkt between August 27 and 30, as the club tops the Primeira Liga table with a perfect 12-point record.
The arrival of Santiago Gimenez at FC Porto was reported on August 30, based on Portuguese media sources. The Mexican attacker, who was at Milan, joins on a loan deal with an option to buy set at 18 million euros, plus add-ons. This option could become mandatory if the player meets certain performance targets during his spell at the Dragão. The move aims to bolster the attacking options for manager Rui Borges's side, which has scored 9 goals and conceded none in the first four league matches.
What other targets is Porto pursuing?
On the same day, the newspaper 'Record' indicated FC Porto's interest in Gabriel Mec. The 18-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder currently plays for Grêmio. According to the same report, the Portuguese club is considering making an official proposal to the Brazilian side before the summer transfer window closes. This pursuit highlights Porto's strategy of investing in young talent for the future, complementing the 32-player squad you can view on our squad page.
Which official moves have already been completed?
On August 27, FC Porto confirmed the permanent departure of Canadian international Stephen Eustaquio. The midfielder was sold to Swansea City of the English second tier for a base fee of 4 million euros, which could rise by a further 1.65 million in add-ons. This sale creates financial and squad space for new arrivals. Also on August 27, goalkeeper João Virgínia's move from Sporting to Wolverhampton was made official, for 1.5 million euros plus variables.
What is happening with Porto's rivals?
The transfer market has also been active for Porto's direct competitors. Benfica, for instance, could lose Colombian Richard Ríos, with Galatasaray starting talks for him on August 29. As an alternative, the Lisbon club has his compatriot Gustavo Puerta from Racing Santander. Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Olympiacos, who triggered the player's 16 million euro release clause, stated that Puerta "wants to go to Benfica". On August 28, Spanish outlet 'Marca' reported that Benfica will try to sign Uruguayan defender José María Giménez from Atlético de Madrid before the window closes.
What is FC Porto's current sporting context?
These market movements occur during a period of strong sporting form for FC Porto. The team sits alone at the top of the Primeira Liga, with 12 points from four wins, holding a two-point lead over second-placed Sporting CP. With an impressive record of nine goals scored and none conceded, the next challenge is a home match against 10th-placed Moreirense on September 4, a fixture you can follow on our fixtures page. Maintaining this unbeaten form will be key for the title ambitions, as shown by the updated data on our standings page.
