Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic could be on his way out of FC Porto. Reports from Spain suggest that Real Oviedo, a club recently promoted back to La Liga, is considering a move for the player.
Grujic finds himself in a precarious position at the Portuguese club. He is entering the final year of his contract, a common inflection point where clubs often look to sell rather than risk losing a player for free. Furthermore, according to Portuguese sports media, Grujic does not feature in the tactical blueprints of FC Porto`s new coach, Francesco Farioli, making a summer departure a likely scenario from the club`s perspective.
Real Oviedo, preparing for life in Spain`s top flight after securing promotion, is actively seeking reinforcements. While Grujic is on their radar, he is reportedly viewed as an alternative option. Their primary target for the midfield appears to be Nemanja Maksimovic, currently playing for Panathinaikos.
The Spanish newspaper `La Nueva España` indicates that Real Oviedo is currently engaged in negotiations with the Greek club regarding Maksimovic. There seems to be a degree of confidence from Oviedo`s side that this transfer could materialize.
However, transfer markets are rarely straightforward. The same report adds a layer of intrigue by suggesting that even while prioritizing Maksimovic, Real Oviedo has already initiated contact with both FC Porto and representatives of Marko Grujic. This suggests a pragmatic approach, lining up a potential “Plan B” should the primary option fall through. It`s prudent, perhaps a tad cynical, but undeniably effective business in the transfer window.
For FC Porto, facilitating Grujic`s exit aligns with their reported objectives. Offloading a player not central to the new coach`s vision, especially one in the last year of his deal, makes financial and squad-building sense.
Marko Grujic arrived at the Estádio do Dragão from Liverpool in the 2020/21 season. Since then, he has accumulated 140 appearances for the Dragons, scoring four goals and providing three assists. His time at Porto has seen moments of contribution, but a consistent, undisputed starting role has often eluded him.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Real Oviedo successfully lands their main target or if circumstances align for Marko Grujic to swap the Portuguese Primeira Liga for the challenging landscape of La Liga. For the Serbian midfielder, it represents a potential opportunity for a fresh start in a new league if his current chapter at FC Porto is indeed drawing to a close.
