FC Porto is angry at Al-Ittihad. The Portuguese top club had a full agreement with the Saudi top club over a transfer of Wenderson Galeno, but saw the buying party back out at the last minute.
Al-Ittihad made multiple moves on Deadline Day, trying to secure several high-profile transfers as the Saudi club aimed to bolster its squad.
While negotiating with multiple clubs, Al-Ittihad had its sights set on both Wenderson Galeno from FC Porto and Steven Bergwijn from Ajax. At one point, it seemed as though the deal for Galeno was all but finalized, with both FC Porto and Al-Ittihad reaching a comprehensive agreement. The terms had been settled, and the player was ready to make the move to Saudi Arabia.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Al-Ittihad decided to pull out of the deal for Galeno at the last minute. Instead, the club chose to focus its efforts on securing Steven Bergwijn from Ajax. The sudden change in strategy left FC Porto stunned and frustrated, as they had been under the impression that the deal for Galeno was a sure thing. The failed transfer has sparked a wave of criticism and disappointment from the Portuguese club, which felt blindsided by Al-Ittihad's last-minute decision to back out.
In an official statement, FC Porto did not hold back in expressing its discontent with how the situation was handled. "Regarding the failed transfer of Galeno, FC Porto states that it will send a message to the president of Al-Ittihad and the president of the Saudi Pro League, expressing its deep dissatisfaction with how this has been handled," the club announced. This statement underlines the frustration and disappointment felt by FC Porto, who believed they had a solid agreement in place.
The breakdown of the transfer came after what was described as a full agreement between the clubs and the player, with all parties seemingly on the same page regarding the terms of the move. The 26-year-old Brazilian forward, Galeno, was set to join the Saudi side, but now he will remain in Portugal with FC Porto for the foreseeable future. Despite the failed transfer, FC Porto has taken a positive stance on the outcome. The club emphasized that it is content to keep Galeno as part of its squad, acknowledging the player's skills and professional demeanor.
"Nevertheless, Porto is happy to keep the player in the squad. This is reinforced by the trust in his abilities and professional attitude," the statement continued. This sentiment reflects the club's confidence in Galeno's potential to continue contributing to the team’s success in domestic and international competitions. Galeno, who has been a key player for FC Porto, will now look to refocus and continue his efforts in Portugal, where he has already made a significant impact.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad's actions have sparked broader discussions about the nature of transfer negotiations and the responsibilities of clubs in maintaining transparent and honorable dealings. The decision to withdraw from an agreed transfer at the last moment has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from various quarters, with many questioning the professionalism of such a move. For FC Porto, the episode has been a stark reminder of the uncertainties and complexities that can arise during transfer windows, especially when dealing with clubs from different leagues and footballing cultures.
As the dust settles, both clubs will move forward with their respective seasons, but the events of this Deadline Day have left a mark on FC Porto, which had to quickly adjust its plans and expectations following the unexpected collapse of the Galeno transfer. While Al-Ittihad succeeded in bringing in Bergwijn from Ajax, the fallout from their handling of the Galeno situation may have lasting implications for their relationships with European clubs and their reputation in the transfer market.
