In a revelation that will send shockwaves through the Premier League, Sporting CP's mastermind manager Ruben Amorim has boldly claimed that the sale of Andre Onana was the secret ingredient to his club's triumphant campaign.
The highly-rated Portuguese coach, who led Sporting to a Primeira Liga title, has suggested that the Cameroonian goalkeeper's high-profile move to Manchester United ultimately benefited his former team more than his current one.
A Transfer That Shaped Two Clubs
Amorim didn't hold back when discussing the impact of Onana's departure, painting a picture of a transfer that served as a catalyst for success in Lisbon while raising questions about the shot-stopper's fit at Old Trafford.
'Sometimes the best signings are the players you sell,' Amorim stated, reflecting on the transformative effect the transfer fee had on his squad's rebuild.
The Antonio Silva Saga
The Sporting boss also revealed intriguing details about his pursuit of Benfica's defensive rock Antonio Silva, a move that ultimately collapsed. Amorim's candid admission about the failed transfer provides a rare glimpse into the complex negotiation tactics between Portugal's fiercest rivals.
'We went for Antonio Silva, we tried everything, but it was mission impossible from the start,' he confessed, highlighting the ambitious thinking that has defined his tenure.
Onana's Rocky Road at United
Since his £47 million move to Manchester, Onana's journey has been anything but smooth. The goalkeeper's difficult start to life in the Premier League has been well-documented, with several high-profile errors leading to intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Amorim's comments will undoubtedly fuel further debate about whether the 28-year-old was the right replacement for the long-serving David De Gea, and whether his particular skill set is suited to the demands of English football.
The Sporting manager's surprising assessment adds another layer to one of the most talked-about transfers of recent seasons, suggesting that sometimes the best deal is the one that helps you move on, rather than the one that brings a star player in.
