Sporting CP are looking to send Senegalese winger Souleymane Faye out on loan just six months after signing him, as the Portuguese champions seek a solution for a transfer that has yet to pay off.
Faye arrived from Granada CF in January for €6.5 million amid high expectations, but the 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact in Lisbon. He featured in only nine matches across all competitions, accumulating just 161 minutes on the pitch and failing to establish himself in Sporting’s first-team plans.
According to reports from Portugal, Sporting have already informed the player’s representatives that he is unlikely to play a significant role next season. Rather than pursuing a permanent sale, the club prefers a loan move that would allow Faye to rediscover his form and increase his market value.
A return to Spain appears the most likely outcome. Faye impressed during the first half of the 2025-26 season with Granada, registering two goals and six assists in 21 appearances in Spain’s second tier. Those performances convinced Sporting to invest heavily in the winger, but he has found it difficult to adapt to life in Portugal.
The Lisbon club believe regular playing time elsewhere could help the Senegal international regain confidence and consistency. While a future at Sporting cannot be completely ruled out, the current priority is finding an environment where he can play regularly and rebuild momentum.
For Sporting, the situation serves as a reminder that even carefully planned transfers carry risks. Faye arrived as one of the club’s notable winter acquisitions, but his struggles have prompted an early rethink as the Portuguese giants reshape their squad ahead of the new campaign.
The coming weeks are expected to determine his next destination, with several clubs in Spain reportedly monitoring his situation as Sporting work towards securing a loan agreement.
