Euro 2024: Five Portugal stars who could move clubs this summer

Having breezed through qualification with the best record of any team, Portugal will take their place among the favourites for Euro 2024.

Blessed with an outstanding crop of players, and still led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Euro 2016 winners look well balanced as well as threatening up top.

Manager Roberto Martinez presided over a brilliant qualification campaign and his side look set for a deep run in Germany.

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They will boast some of the hottest properties ahead of this summer’s transfer window with Portugal a long-established hotbed for talent.

Here we take a look at five Portugal players who could make a move in the next transfer window.

Antonio Silva

The 20-year-old possesses all the attributes to become a future legend, according to ex-Benfica defender Jan Vertonghen, with the centre back set to star for Portugal at the Euros this summer.

Silva has recently signed a contract extension until 2027, with a huge €100 million buyout attached.

And whoever wins the race for his signature will be getting a star performer with a decade or more of service ahead.

It’s Manchester United who have been mentioned most frequently as suitors with the club set for a summer defensive revamp.

Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will depart while there are long-term question marks over the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. Lisandro Martinez, meanwhile, is having trouble keeping fit.

But the Red Devils will face intense competition from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

It appears inevitable that the 2022-23 Primeira Liga title winner will depart his boyhood club sooner rather than later.

Goncalo Inacio

In Goncalo Inacio, title-chasing Sporting CP have in their ranks one of the most-coveted players of the upcoming transfer window.

The unassuming 22-year-old is quietly assembling a formidable reputation and will play a major role for Martinez’s national side at this summer’s tournament.

Sporting appear resigned to losing Inacio imminently and a contract extension signed last year was designed to maximise any transfer income they can get.

Inacio is under contract until 2027 and the buyout clause is now set at €60m rather than €45m.

Chief among interested parties are Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also reported to be considering a purchase.

In the Premier League, Liverpool have been mentioned most often and Inacio could come to Anfield alongside club manager Ruben Amorim, now on Liverpool’s managerial hitlist.

Joao Neves

The 19-year-old central midfielder has taken no time to adapt to his surroundings in the international setup under Martinez and is among the top contenders to start for the Portuguese in midfield at the Euros.

Benfica know what they have got on their hands, offering Neves a pay rise and with it an increased buyout clause last year but held him to the same contract duration as he was on before.

His terms expire in 2028 but no one should expect him to be there that long.

Neves was given added responsibility following the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea last year and the title winner has gone from strength to strength this term.

With a buyout of €120m, he won’t come cheap but he has already earned the endorsement of international team-mate and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Inevitably, United are linked with his signature as they require an urgent midfield overhaul but they could be beaten to the punch by Liverpool, who can guarantee Champions League football next season.

Rafael Leao

Leao has established himself in the Portugal team under Martinez and last month scored a brilliant goal in the friendly win against Sweden.

Having suffered through a poor first half of the season for AC Milan, the 24-year-old has been back to his brilliant best in recent weeks.

He’s been irrepressible in the Europa League and has also delivered some sterling performances for the Rossoneri in Serie A too.

Long-touted as Paris Saint-Germain’s No.1 choice to replace the outgoing Kylian Mbappe, Leao has also got admirers in Barcelona and around the Premier League too.

Rafa Leão smiling the whole way through his golaço 😄🇵🇹#MilanAtalanta pic.twitter.com/4y4jxUy4w1

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 27, 2024

Chelsea have been mentioned although their lack of Champions League football is likely to count against them.

With a contract until 2028, Milan are under no pressure to sell but with a reported €175m buyout fee, it might be the right time to cash in on the mercurial left winger.

Pedro Neto

Should the 24-year-old Wolves attacker recover in time from his latest injury then he will be a formidable option for the Selecao in Germany.

However, given the number of games Neto has missed through injury over the last few seasons, the five-cap international’s squad place is surely in doubt.

That’s a shame as on his day, Neto is equipped to take on any defence.

He’s got nine assists and two goals in only 19 matches for Wolves in the Premier League this season and the club have reportedly placed a €93m price tag on his head.

Neto, under contract until 2027, has attracted the attentions of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool and looks destined for the very top, should he be once and for all able to sort out his various injury issues.