Tottenham Hotspur have been offered a potential opportunity to sign Sporting winger Francisco Trincao, despite a deal appearing close between the player and Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. Reports emerged last week linking Spurs with the 26-year-old as new manager Roberto De Zerbi seeks to bolster his team’s attacking options.
Trincao enjoyed a productive 2025/26 season with Sporting, registering 11 goals and 15 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. This followed a previous spell in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where his impact was less significant. Tottenham struggled for goals last season, narrowly avoiding relegation, making attacking reinforcements a priority.
Al Ahli have reportedly agreed a €45m (£38m) package with Sporting for Trincao, according to Correio da Manha. However, the player himself has not yet committed to the move, and is reportedly holding out for an offer from the Premier League, which remains his preferred destination. This hesitation has opened the door for Tottenham to potentially hijack the transfer.
Manchester City have also emerged as potential rivals for Trincao’s signature, with new City boss Enzo Maresca reportedly a long-time admirer of the player. Maresca views Trincao as a possible replacement for Bernardo Silva, who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad. However, any move by either Tottenham or City would still require them to match Sporting’s £38m asking price.
De Zerbi is believed to see Trincao as a versatile option capable of playing in the No.10 role or out wide, with the left flank identified as a particular area of need within the Tottenham squad. The club has already been linked with several other attacking players this summer, including Savinho, Rafael Leao, and Cody Gakpo, indicating a clear intent to strengthen their forward line. A successful pursuit of Trincao would provide De Zerbi with another creative outlet and increase competition for places.
