​Manchester City have not yet held direct talks with Sporting for Portugal international Francisco Trincão, according to a fresh report from Portugal. The 26-year-old winger has been one of the most talked-about targets in the Premier League this summer, following a standout season for Sporting CP that marked the best form of his career in the Portuguese top flight and sparked considerable interest from clubs across Europe ahead of the transfer window’s decisive phase. City’s need for a wide attacker who can dribble and create chances has been a clear priority throughout the summer, with director of football Hugo Viana and manager Enzo Maresca identifying the position as a key area to reinforce as Manchester City continues its rebuild at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham have also featured prominently in Portuguese coverage surrounding Trincão’s future, with both clubs repeatedly named as possible Premier League destinations for the 26-year-old as speculation has intensified. Yet the latest update from Portugal makes an important distinction between mere rumours and actual transfer activity, suggesting Manchester City’s interest remains far from advanced compared with some earlier speculation.
As reported by A Bola and relayed by Sport Witness, Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia are currently the only club to have opened direct talks with Sporting over a transfer for Trincão. Negotiations between the Saudi club and Sporting are understood to be centered on a fee around £38 million, a figure that sits below Trincão’s £50.5 million release clause but within a range Sporting might accept if circumstances align.
The Portuguese outlet notes that Trincão continues to be linked with Manchester City and Tottenham, but emphasizes that neither club has yet translated their interest into direct contact with Sporting at this stage of the process. This leaves the Saudi pathway as the only active route toward a potential transfer at the moment, a distinction carrying real significance amid a story that has generated substantial momentum in Portugal.
The report underscores that while Premier League interest is genuine in spirit, it has not yet progressed into the formal approach that would provide Sporting with a clear view of options beyond the Saudi Pro League offer currently on the table. In practical terms, City’s pursuit of Trincão remains in a tentative phase, with no direct dialogue established with Sporting to negotiate terms, a fact that tempers the sense of urgency around an imminent move from England’s capital city.
For City, the situation continues to unfold with caution. The club’s strategic focus remains on strengthening their wide attacking options, and Trincão’s profile as a versatile winger who can contribute in one-on-one scenarios and create chances aligns with the rebuild’s broader aims. However, until direct negotiations are initiated or a formal approach is made, Manchester City’s interest cannot be considered anything other than speculative, even as English and European observers keep a close eye on how the transfer market evolves in the final weeks of the window.
In summary, while Trincão remains a prominent name in the transfer chatter surrounding Manchester City and Tottenham, the latest reporting from Portugal makes clear that direct engagement with Sporting has not yet occurred, with Al Ahli currently the sole club actively negotiating a deal. This distinction matters for the broader narrative, highlighting that the Premier League interest has not yet crystallized into a concrete bid or formal dialogue, and that the Saudi option stands as the only active channel at present. The situation remains fluid, and City’s position could evolve quickly should they initiate talks with Sporting or if other clubs alter their level of engagement in the coming days.