Sporting CP Near Fotis Ioannidis Deal as New Striker Is Lined Up to Replace Departing Conrad Harder

Sporting CP are closing in on the transfer of Fotis Ioannidis, who would fill the void left by Conrad Harder’s expected departure. Milan is set to pay a fixed fee of €24 million for Harder, rising to €27 million including add-ons, which highlights the financial stakes involved in this transition.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese club have agreed personal terms with the Greek striker and negotiations are now advancing over a transfer fee with Panathinaikos. Sporting have tried to sign Ioannidis multiple times over the last two windows only to fail, but are now preparing a €20 million (£17m/$22m) plus bonuses package that should be enough to get a deal done.

A source close to the player has told us that Ioannidis has shown a clear interest in a move and wants to fight for titles and play Champions League football in Lisbon. His arrival would be to directly replace Harder, who was the club’s Player of the Season and is now expected to leave before the end of the transfer window.

Ioannidis has trained recently at Panathinaikos and is being monitored by the club’s medical department having dislocated his shoulder twice this term, including with Greece on international duty. He is unlikely to return to action in the near future, but Sporting will manage his load and treat this injury carefully upon arrival.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sporting have enjoyed an excellent 2024-25 season thus far, finishing top of the Primeira Liga and reclaiming their Portuguese crown in a nail-biting title race with Porto and Benfica. However, while they have scored freely, the potential exit of Harder, who contributed as a replacement to Gyokeres and was expected to be more important this season after the Swedish left to Arsenal, will leave a hole that needs replacing. Ioannidis scored 17 and assisted six in the Greek Super League last season and has continued his upward progression, netting five times in eight matches during the 2024-25 campaign before suffering his shoulder injury.

WHAT NEXT FOR SPORTING AND FOTIS IOANNIDIS?

Sporting are close to securing a deal having worked since the start of June to bring in attacking reinforcements. With one week until the closing of the window and with Porto visiting Alvalade next weekened, they should have their man, especially as they are competing for Champions League football next season, which will further motivate Ioannidis to join the squad.

They will not face interest from the Premier League with a number of teams watching Ioannidis’ recovery from injury, while also aware that he will cost over £20m ($25m), a significant increase on anything they have previously bid.