Sporting CP's 10 biggest sales of all time

Cameron Smith

• 27 Oct 2024 05:00 CDT
• 6 min read

Sporting CP have one of the best academy systems in Europe and they have produced a number of world-class players over the years, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, they have often been forced to sell these youngsters to bigger clubs on the continent, with Sporting consistently earning profits on their players.

Below, FootballTransfers lists Sporting's 10 biggest sales ever.

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10. Gelson Martins - €22m (to Atletico Madrid, 2018)

Gelson Martins developed in Sporting’s academy system and he went on to make 140 first-team appearances before leaving to join Atletico Madrid in 2018.

Martins’ exit was rather strange, however. He asked for his contract to be terminated after Sporting’s training ground was invaded by supporters, and his move to Atletico was therefore initially a free transfer.

However, the Spanish giants were ordered to pay €22m after Sporting lodged a formal complaint with FIFA.

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9. Joao Palhinha - €24.9m (to Fulham, 2022)

Fulham won the race for Joao Palhinha’s signature in 2022, with the Premier League outfit paying close to €25m for his services.

The defensive midfielder had impressed at Sporting and following a sublime stint at Craven Cottage, he joined Bayern Munich for €51m in 2024.

8. Nani - €25.5m (to Man Utd, 2007)

Nani was dubbed ‘the next Cristiano Ronaldo’ following his move to Old Trafford in 2007, with Man Utd signing an exciting Portuguese winger from Sporting for the second time in quick succession.

Despite failing to match Ronaldo’s achievements, Nani enjoyed a successful eight-year stint at Man Utd, winning 12 trophies and registering over 100 goals and assists in 230 games.

7. Islam Slimani - €31m (to Leicester, 2016)

Leicester City shocked the world when they won the Premier League title in 2016 and Islam Slimani was one of their marquee signings that summer.

The Algerian had scored 27 league goals during his final season at Sporting and the Foxes spent over €30m to sign him.

However, Slimani was unable to displace Jamie Vardy and after netting 13 goals in 47 Leicester games, he departed to join Lyon on a free transfer in January 2021.

6. Nuno Mendes - €38m (to PSG, 2022)

Nuno Mendes is another product of Sporting’s famed academy and he was wanted by every top Premier League club following his breakout season in 2020-21.

However, Paris Saint-Germain won the race for his signature, signing him on an initial loan deal, which became permanent for €38m in 2022. Mendes left Sporting with only 47 first-team appearances under his belt.

5. Pedro Porro - €40m (to Tottenham, 2023)

Manchester City picked up Pedro Porro from Girona in 2019, but the Spaniard never made a single first-team appearance for the Etihad Stadium side.

Instead, he was loaned out to Real Valladolid and Sporting, with the latter signing him on a permanent deal in 2022. Porro then joined Tottenham on loan six months later, before they signed him permanently for €40m in July 2023.

Porro left Sporting with 12 goals and 20 assists in just 98 games for the club.

4. Joao Mario - €43.8m (to Inter, 2016)

Joao Mario progressed through the youth ranks at Sporting and after establishing himself as a regular in 2014, he registered six goals and 11 assists during the 2015-16 Portuguese top flight season.

Inter subsequently lodged a €43.8m bid for his services, which was promptly accepted by Sporting, and he sealed a move to the San Siro.

However, Mario never quite settled at Inter and he was loaned to West Ham, Lokomotiv Moscow and back to Sporting before joining Benfica on a free transfer in 2021.

3. Matheus Nunes - €45m (to Wolves, 2022)

Matheus Nunes was dubbed as “one of the best players in the world” by Pep Guardiola in early 2022, and Wolves decided to pounce just months later.

The Old Gold have enjoyed a strong Portuguese influence since 2016 and Nunes joined a host of his countrymen upon his move to Molineux.

After one season at Wolves, Nunes was sold to Manchester City for €62m.

2. Manuel Ugarte - €60m (to PSG, 2023)

Manuel Ugarte was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in 2023, but PSG won the race for his signature, with Sporting earning a handsome fee as a result.

The Uruguay star departed the Portuguese top flight having made 85 appearances for Sporting, but he left PSG to join Man Utd after just one season in Ligue 1.

1. Bruno Fernandes - €65m (to Man Utd, 2020)

Bruno Fernandes became Sporting’s all-time record sale when he joined Manchester United for €65m in January 2020.

The Portuguese midfielder racked up 113 goal contributions in just 137 appearances for Sporting, and he immediately became a crucial figure at Old Trafford.

Fernandes tallied 15 goals and assists in his first 14 Premier League games and he eventually became Man Utd captain in July 2023.

The 10 biggest Sporting CP sales of all time