Sporting posts record €300M turnover as FC Porto recalls loanee from Brazil
Sporting SAD reported a net profit of €34.7 million for the 2025/26 season, a 74% increase from the previous year, marking the fifth consecutive year of profits for the Lisbon-based football club. The accumulated profit over this period now stands at €117 million, according to the report published through the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários).
Record revenues driven by Champions League run
The club's operating revenues without player transfers reached €187.7 million in June 2026, an increase of roughly €40 million from the same period last year and a new club record. Champions League participation generated €80.3 million in revenue, boosted by Sporting's run to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Arsenal. The English club went on to lose the final to Paris Saint-Germain.
Other operational activities also hit record highs. The Gamebox annual seat campaign brought in €9.6 million, while hospitality revenues reached €10.9 million. Overall turnover hit €300 million, a 13% increase from the previous season. Revenues excluding player transactions now represent 63% of this amount, which the club said reflects its commitment to financial sustainability.
Operating profit grew 12% to €50.7 million, and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation), including player transactions, rose 13% to €116 million.
Heavy investment and bond issuance reshape finances
Sporting invested €120.7 million in player acquisitions during the 2025/26 season, a 62% increase from 2024/25, while player salestotalled €117.2 million. For the current 2026/27 season, the club broke its transfer record by spending €127.4 million on new players, with sales reaching €156.1 million.
The club's equity stood at €75.6 million as of June 2026, an 85% year-on-year increase. Total assets rose 73% to €726.9 million, while liabilities increased 71% to €651.3 million. The club attributed the sharp rise in liabilities primarily to the bond issuance of October 2025, which raised €225 million through Sporting Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sporting SAD. The bonds carry a fixed annual interest rate of 5.75% and a 28-year maturity, with funds earmarked for stadium transformation and debt refinancing.
Contract renewal talks accelerate for Fresneda and Catamo
Sporting's management, led by president Frederico Varandas, is looking to secure the futures of right-back Iván Fresneda and winger Geny Catamo, aiming to finalize new deals by December before the winter transfer window opens.
Fresneda, whose current contract runs until June 2028, has been linked with interest from Arsenal and Manchester City and is considered a key player by manager Rui Borges, having played in all eight games this season. Negotiations are underway for an extension that would run until June 2031, with reports indicating a significant salary increase to over €1 million net per year. His release clause remains set at €80 million.
Catamo, the Mozambique international, had his contract automatically renewed until 2029 last season. The Sunderland football club submitted two offers for the player during the summer transfer window — one of €30 million plus €10 million in objectives, and another of €33 million that could reach €40 million. Sporting rejected both, insisting on at least €40 million in fixed fees. The proposed new deal would extend his contract to 2031 and raise his release clause from €60 million to around €80 million, along with a salary increase.
On the international stage, Catamo scored the equalizer for Mozambique in a 1–1 draw against Senegal in Maputo on Friday, during the opening round of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Fresneda received his first senior Spain call-up after an injury to Pedro Porro and could make his debut on Saturday against England at Wembley.
FC Porto faces early return for struggling loanee
While Sporting celebrates record financial results, FC Porto is dealing with the likely early return of midfielder Tomás Pérez from his loan at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil. The 22-year-old Argentine has seen minimal playing time under manager Eduardo Domínguez, appearing in just two of 13 matches since August. The loan agreement, which includes a €5.5 million purchase option, expires on 31 December and is unlikely to be activated. Pérez, who joined Porto from Newell's Old Boys in January 2025, remains under contract with the Portuguese champions until June 2029.
Other Porto loanees have shown more promise. Iván Jaime, now at Las Palmas in Spain, scored on his debut, while Gonçalo Sousa has secured a starting spot at Turkish club Kocaelispor with two assists in seven matches. Leonardo Vonic has registered a goal and an assist in limited appearances for Moreirense. Felipe Silva remains without playing time at Casa Pia, while Diogo Fernandes and Gabriel Brás have seen sparse minutes at Amarante and Dutch side NEC, respectively.
