Liga Portugal Side Opt Out Of £2m Swoop For QPR Player

Vitória de Guimarães have decided against triggering the €2m purchase option for Queens Park Rangers right-back Hevertton Santos.

The Brazilian defender is now set to return to England after an underwhelming loan spell in the Primeira Liga.

Bright Start Fades for Brazilian Full-Back

Santos arrived at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques in January on a temporary deal, with high hopes that his dynamic style could bolster the team’s right flank. Initially, he made a promising impact, featuring regularly after joining from QPR. However, as the season progressed, his involvement significantly declined.

The 24-year-old managed just 370 minutes of action across eight appearances. His last outing came earlier this month when he played eight minutes against Farense — his only appearance since March. This downturn in game time ultimately influenced the club’s decision not to pursue a permanent deal.

According to O Jogo, Guimarães will not activate the €2 million buy clause agreed in January, and the defender is “certain to leave” the club at the end of his loan.

Club Shifts Focus as Summer Rebuild Begins

Vitória’s decision allows the club to retain financial flexibility as they prepare for the 2025–26 campaign. While Santos showed glimpses of quality, the technical staff and board concluded that his performances did not justify a permanent investment.

With squad planning already underway, Guimarães will now look elsewhere to reinforce the right-back position, with an emphasis on consistency and long-term potential.

Santos will return to QPR, where his future remains unclear. The Championship side signed him on a free transfer from Estrela da Amadora last summer, and his contract still has time to run.

Player Profile: A Brief Journey Through Portugal

Born in Brazil, Santos moved to Portugal at a young age, developing through the ranks at CIF and Sporting CP. He later joined Estrela da Amadora in Liga Portugal 2, helping them secure promotion before signing with QPR in July 2024.

His return to Portuguese football was expected to reignite his career, but the lack of consistent minutes in Guimarães has hindered that goal.

Writer’s View

Vitória de Guimarães made a calculated decision in not committing to a permanent deal for Hevertton Santos. While the player brought energy in his early performances, the subsequent drop in involvement raised valid concerns. With limited appearances and a sizeable fee attached, the club’s cautious approach reflects a sensible transfer policy as they aim to strengthen smartly this summer.