According to reports from Portugal, both Milan and Napoli are in pursuit of Ruben Semedo, the 22-year-old defender from Sporting Lisbon. The player, who was brought up in the club’s youth acamedy in Lisbon, exploded onto the scene in the second part of last season whilst on-loan at Vitoria Setebul forcing Sporting boss Jorge Jesus to bring him straight back to the capital.
 

Life has not been easy for Ruben; forced to grow up under the care of his sister when his parents separated, he was forced to abandon the idea of becoming a professional footballer due to financial circumstances but life was about to change when he was spotted playing for an amateur Portuguese club by Luis Dias, the technical director of Leos.  

Physically strong with outstanding technical ability, he arrived at Sporting and was so impressive, the club considered playing him as a midfielder. He made his debut on August 11 2013 in a friendly against Fiorentina under coach Leonardo Jardim (now at Monaco). His future looked bright but his exuberant character overtook his ability on the field  and he was sent out on-loan to Spanish side Reus before new Sporting boss Joge Jesus decided to bring him closer to home; loaning him to Vitoria Setebul.
 

The former Benfica coach has nurtured Ruben into one of Europe’s most versatile defenders and now he is being tracked by some of Europe’s biggest clubs after impressive displays in this season’s Champions League. Portuguese journal A Bola claims that Milan and Napoli are gathering information on the player who has a contract at Sporting until 2020. There is the small issue of the buy-out clause too; fixed at a cool €45 million.

By Andrea Distaso. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell