FC Porto has officially welcomed Spanish forward Borja Sainz as their latest reinforcement for the upcoming season. The 24-year-old attacker, arriving from English club Norwich City, is expected to be formally presented by the Dragons very soon.
The transfer fee agreed upon for Sainz is reported to be €13 million, a figure that could potentially rise by another €2 million based on performance-related variables. This acquisition marks the fourth new face to join the FC Porto squad ahead of the new campaign, following João Costa, Dominik Prpić, and Gabri Veiga.
Perhaps the most striking detail of the move is the inclusion of a massive €100 million release clause in Sainz`s contract. This valuation immediately places him in the same bracket as Samu Aghehowa, sharing the highest release clause figure currently within the FC Porto squad. While seemingly astronomical, such clauses are often used by Portuguese clubs to protect their prized assets and deter unwanted advances – or perhaps simply to make a declarative statement of intent, ensuring any interested party knows the conversation starts at a very high price point.
Beyond the initial fee and potential variables, the deal structure also includes a significant sell-on clause for Norwich City, who compete in the second tier of English football. The Championship side is set to receive 20% of any future profit FC Porto makes from the sale of Sainz. Interestingly, this percentage could drop to 10% next summer if FC Porto decides to pay an additional €1 million to secure a further 10% of the player`s economic rights. It`s a financial manoeuvre that adds a layer of strategic complexity to the transfer.
Sainz, who honed his skills in the youth ranks of prominent Spanish clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Alavés, arrives in Portugal following a productive spell at Norwich. In the 2024/2025 season, he netted 19 goals and provided four assists across 43 appearances for the Canaries, stats that clearly caught the attention of the FC Porto recruitment team.
His arrival signals FC Porto`s ambition to bolster their attacking options with proven talent. Fans will be eager to see how the young Spaniard adapts to Portuguese football and whether he can live up to the significant investment and the eyebrow-raising release clause attached to his name.
