Official: Sapunaru signs for Porto

[Lemmy]

The Portuguese champions are raiding the market for a new right-sided defender following the departure of José Bosingwa to Chelsea last month.

And Sapunaru, who joined Rapid Bucuresti from FC National in 2006, seems to be high on coach Jesualdo Ferreira's shortlist.

The Romanian club's boss, José Peseiro, is understood to be interested in Porto's João Paulo (pictured), who is surplus to requirements at Estádio do Dragão.

The Dragons are reportedly lining up a move for the 24-year-old defender, who was called up for Euro 2008, in which Paulo will travel in the opposite direction.

However, George Copos, the largest share-holder of Rapid Bucuresti, has ensured that the player will stay at the Giulesti stadium.

"He is a highly valuable player, so I do not think this is the best time for him to leave," he noted.

Goal.com - Portugal - Porto Target Sapunaru

[Oliver_Kahn]

We're negotiating the signing of Sapunaru according to the Romanian press.
:.: Jornal Record :.:


I cant see us paying the 5m € they supposedly want.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Porto have made contacts for Sapunaru, but Rapid don't want to sell
:.: Jornal Record :.:

If they aren't keen on selling, then let's just move on. Get Angeleri instead, so we have a full Argentinian XI...

[Frank Cunha]

Romenia

OJOGO ONLINE

Sapunaru é a opção para o lado direito
JORGE MAIA

Nem João Pereira, nem Angeleri, a alternativa do FC Porto para compensar a saída de Bosingwa para o Chelsea é mesmo o romeno Sapunaru, do Rapid Bucareste. Aliás, os portistas esperam conseguir resolver a transferência do jogador ainda antes da partida para estágio na Alemanha, agendada para sexta-feira.

Constantin Zotta, director-geral do clube treinado por José Peseiro, revelou recentemente a existência de conversações mantidas pelos dois clubes em torno do jogador, mas referiu não existir nenhuma proposta concreta, algo que já terá mudado. O FC Porto terá ficado longe dos cinco milhões de euros alegadamente pedidos pelo Rapid para ceder o jogador, mas terá acrescentado à proposta a possibilidade de cedência - definitiva ou por empréstimo - de alguns dos jogadores que não fazem parte dos planos de Jesualdo Ferreira para a próxima temporada. João Paulo é um dos nomes apontados como mais provável moeda de troca, mas há outras possibilidades para debater com os responsáveis romenos, sendo o conhecimento pormenorizado do plantel portistas por parte de José Peseiro determinante para a escolha. Um caso a acompanhar nas próximas horas.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Ive never heard of him and 5m € is quite a lot, so hopefully Porto can include a couple of players on the deal. Peseiro wants Adriano and J.Paulo, I think J-Paulo will go, but Adriano isn't interested apparently. We might offload Marek Cech instead.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Rapid president says they'll let Sap-guy go, if the player shows interest in a move and if Porto's offer is too good to turn down.
**abola.pt - «A BOLA on-line»

[Oliver_Kahn]

The deal is close, It should be cash (I'd say 2m €) plus two players (J.Paulo and Adriano)
:.: Jornal Record :.:

[Oliver_Kahn]

3m € + J.Paulo and Pitbull for Sapu. The deal is very close
**abola.pt - «A BOLA on-line»

[Frank Cunha]

Pittbull, Joao Paulo for Sapuranu
Maisfutebol - Superliga - NotÃ*cia

[Oliver_Kahn]

Porto have completed the signing of Cristian Sapunaru, the Romania right-back. 2.5m € for 50% of his rights, plus J.Paulo and Pitbull to Rapid, on loan.
OJOGO ONLINE

Very expensive deal, the guy better be worth it.

[Lemmy]

‘O Jogo’ daily wrote on Tuesday that fullback Cristian Sapunaru, the player who signed a five-year contract with FC Porto, will have an annual wage of EUR 400,000 while playing for the Portuguese title holders.

‘O Jogo’ notes that initially the agreement should have spanned four years, but eventually the sides agreed for five seasons after negotiations between the player, his sports agent and Antero Henrique, FC Porto’s general director. ‘After the singing of the contract Sapunaru went to the Romanian consulate in Germany, where FC Porto has its training camp, in order to make his transfer official. Then he and Antero Henrique went to the training camp where Sapunaru then trained alongside his new team mates. Sapunaru’s physical condition will not be a problem for Coach Jesualdo Ferreira because the fullback already trained with Rapid. Ferreira said that Sapunaru is a strong, calm player that knows his place in the team very well. He could be used in Wednesday’s friendly game against PAOK Thessalonica,’ the Portuguese daily wrote.

Nine O'Clock

[Oliver_Kahn]

He signed a 5 year-deal and will have a 25m € buy-out clause.
**abola.pt - «A BOLA on-line»

Sapu looked pretty decent against PAOK, I think we may have found a very good player.

Rui Barros agrees with me:
"Sapunaru is a quality player"
OJOGO ONLINE

[Oliver_Kahn]

Sapunaru impressed against PAOK, apparently Jesualdo went to Romania to watch him play and liked what he saw.
:.: Jornal Record :.:

I liked what I saw as well, he looks pretty decent.