Ex-Benfica boss questions Ioannidis move to Sporting: He’s not ready | OneFootball

Rui Vitória, former Benfica coach, refused to comment on the highly likely transfer of Fotis Ioannidis to Sporting.

Rui Vitória refuses to comment on the highly likely transfer of Fotis Ioannidis to Sporting. After the Samsunspor – Panathinaikos match in the Conference League and after the player himself commented on the topic, the former Benfica coach stated that negotiations between the clubs are not yet finalized.

“In this specific case, I don’t want to talk about Ioannidis because I don’t like to speak about things that aren’t finalized,” said Rui Vitória, casting doubt on whether the deal between Sporting and Panathinaikos for the striker is closed. However, all indications are that the transfer will indeed happen.

“In general, I can say that we made the transfers we wanted and I am very satisfied with the young players who have arrived. Everyone wants to play at the highest level and win titles. I believe that right now I can make two lineups of great quality,” concluded Rui Vitória, showing his satisfaction with the players at his disposal.

Regarding Fotis Ioannidis, Sporting is expected to pay around 22 million euros fixed, plus 3 million depending on the achievement of certain individual and collective objectives. The Lions will also leave Panathinaikos with a percentage of any significant future capital gain.

In the last 2024/25 season, playing for Panathinaikos, Fotis Ioannidis - valued at 15 million euros - had numbers below expectations. In 42 matches played, the striker scored 11 goals and provided two assists. In the current season, he has played four games without any goal contributions so far.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.