Top 10 most expensive departures in Sporting CP’s history

Man United and PSG were involved twice in high investments in Sporting CP players

Liga Portugal side Sporting CP are one of the most famous spots in Portugal where top European clubs go shopping for their extravagant player signings. Even Cristiano Ronaldo got his big break after Manchester United made a move while he was contracted to this Portuguese giant.

Recently, Paris Saint-Germain, the 2023 Ligue 1 Champions were involved in one such transaction. Manuel Ugarte was in the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad for Uruguay although never even featured in one single game. Now his move has updated the top most expensive departure list of Sporting CP.

10. Raphinha - €21.00m (to Rennes)

The FC Barcelona winger has come a long way in his life and career. Although a Brazilian native, he moved to Portugal to join the youth ranks of Vitória Guimarães SC B. They gave Raphinha his first team debut in 2016 before Sporting CP recognised the talent in their backyard.

According to Transfermarkt, Sporting CP paid a €6.50 million transfer fee to Vitória Guimarães to acquire the right winger. And in just a year Ligue 1 side Rennes officially welcomed the Brazilian to one of the top five European Leagues after paying Sporting €21.00 million.

9. Gelson Martins - €22.00m (to Atlético Madrid)

Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the most notable Sporting CP Academy products. Gelson Martins also rose through the same ranks. Amid the 2018 chaos at Sporting CP, LaLiga side Atlético Madrid managed to get a bargain deal for Gelson Martins while he was valued a lot more.

The right winger now dons the jersey of Ligue 1 side AS Monaco after his short loan was made permanent in July 2019.

8. Nani - €25.00m (to Manchester United)

Manchester United splashed approximately €25.00 million on a 20-year-old Nani back in July 2007. In his initial days, he stayed with Anderson and Cristiano Ronaldo while being new in England and Manchester. Later he went on to feature 230 times in all competitions for the Red Devils in his seven years tenure. Nani left his mark in the Premier League by making 71 assists and scoring 41 goals.

7. Islam Slimani - €31.00m (to Leicester City)

Another Premier League club Leceister City recognised talents that Sporting CP ranks had to offer. This time the eyes were on striker Islam Slimani who at the peak of his powers netted 31 times for the Lions while also racking up 6 assists.

The Algerian forward moved in August 2016 to England after the Foxes handed a reported sum of €31 million to the Portuguese club.

6. Nuno Mendes - €38.00m (to Paris Saint-Germain)

At the sixth position on Sporting CP's most expensive departures list is Nuno Mendes. The left-back was recruited by Qatar Sports Investments owned Paris Saint-Germain last summer. The move came after a season-long successful loan at Paris from the Lisbon side. PSG went on to trigger the buy option that was mutually agreed upon when they brought Mendes as a loanee from Sporting.

5. Pedro Porro - €40.00m (to Tottenham Hotspurs)

A similar loan-to-buy agreement was made by English side Tottenham Hotspurs in January 2023. Pedro Porro's six-month loan stint saw him play under four different managers. And still, he managed to impress the club that now has opted to make his move permanent. In 17 appearances for Spurs, he managed to score thrice and even added three assists to his name.

4. João Mário - €45.00m (to Inter Milan)

The 2023 UEFA Champions League runners-up club once were involved in an approximate €45 million acquisition of the central midfielder. João Mário was 23 when Serie A giants came calling to lure him to one of the most famous stadiums in Europe, the San Siro.

The midfielder had a spell to forget in Italy which was limited to loan moves often. Later Mário even went on to mention in an interview with Portuguese media outlet A Bola TV how unpleasing his stay was and his thoughts about the stability of the club.

3. Matheus Nunes - €45.00m (to Wolves)

Wolverhampton Wanderers went all guns blazing to sign the Portuguese central midfielder last summer. A reported sum of €45.00 million was offered to the Lions to bring Matheus Nunes to England. The English club had managed to tie the former Sporting CP player to a five-year deal with an option for a further year. In all competitions for the Wolves team in the 2022-23 season, Nunes played 2,758' minutes on the field.

2. Manuel Ugarte - €60.00m (to Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain have signed midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon for a reported €60 million. The 22-year-old Uruguayan international agreed to a five-year contract, which will keep him at the Parc des Princes until June 2028.

Ugarte's arrival marks PSG boss Luis Enrique's third signing, following the acquisitions of Marco Asensio and Milan Skriniar on free transfers. Despite interest from Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool, PSG managed to lure Ugarte who now becomes the second most expensive departure in Sporting CP's history.

1. Bruno Fernandes - €65.00m (to Manchester United)

Back in January 2020, the Red Devils decided to splurge huge money on the then 25-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder. And by now he has played 185 times scoring 64 goals in all competitions. His assists stats aren't lagging behind either with 54.

Although Manuel Ugarte's PSG move has been doing the rounds of the newspaper as one of the most expensive departures from Sporting, it is Bruno Fernandes who still hails the top spot. As reported by The Sun, Fernandes is now set to become the official captain of Manchester United. As the club plans to relieve Harry Maguire from the aforementioned duties, even if he stays put at Old Trafford.