Ibrahima Ba: Sporting eye move for Senegal defender from Famalicao

Senegal centre-back Ibrahima Ba of Famalicao is being linked with a move to Sporting, with the Lisbon club monitoring the 21-year-old after his first full season in Liga Portugal.

Ba, who is under contract at Famalicao until 30 June 2030, is currently valued at around €12m, a figure that would require a significant outlay from Sporting if talks progress. There is no indication that a deal is close, but Sporting are understood to be assessing defensive options within the Portuguese top flight ahead of the new campaign.

The right-footed defender, who wears the No 55 shirt for Famalicao, featured regularly in Liga Portugal last season, making 23 league appearances and scoring once. His performances at centre-back in 1,757 minutes of league football have drawn attention from domestic rivals looking to strengthen at the back without venturing outside the division.

Born in Boune on 26 May 2005, Ba joined Famalicao’s first team in July 2025 after an initial spell with the club’s under-23 side. He had previously spent time with AJEL Rufisque and on loan at Valenciennes in France, gaining senior experience before establishing himself in Portugal.

Ba’s long-term deal puts Famalicao in a strong negotiating position, with the club not under pressure to sell in this window. For now, he remains a key part of their defensive plans as Sporting weigh up whether to turn their interest into a formal approach.