Ricardo Mangás Transfer to Spartak Moscow and the Road Ahead
The news came in from Portugal about a notable move in European football. Spartak Moscow has secured the services of 26-year-old defender Ricardo Mangas from Vitoria Guimarães. The deal, reported by Hey Jogo, marks a significant step for both clubs as Mangas prepares to join the Russian giants.
Sources indicated that Spartak agreed to pay two million euros to acquire Mangas. A two-year contract will bind the Portuguese left back to the Moskow club, and Mangas has already bid farewell to teammates as he prepares for his new challenge. This transfer signals Spartak’s intent to reinforce the defensive line with a player who has shown versatility and consistency at the back.
Since joining Vitoria in 2023, Mangas has become a regular feature for the Portuguese side. In total, he has appeared in 38 competitive matches, contributing five goals and ten assists from his left-back position. This level of production from a defender demonstrates his ability to contribute to both defense and attack, adding to Spartak’s tactical options for the upcoming season. The market outlook for Mangas is positive, with Transfermarkt estimating his value around four million euros, reflecting his experience in top-tier competition and his potential for further growth.
In the meantime, the Russian Premier League season has seen Spartak’s performances shaping the current standings. In the seventh round, Spartak beat Rubin Kazan by a single goal, with Ezequiel Barco converting a penalty to seal the win for the Muscovites. The victory keeps Spartak competitive in the table, as they collect points and push for a higher position in the standings behind the league leaders, who have built up a lead in the early stretch of the campaign. The team now has a clear target in view as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including an away match against Dynamo Makhachkala scheduled for mid-September.
Analysts and insiders have weighed in on the evolving dynamics of the league. Dmitry Bulykin has commented that the rankings in the RPL will continue to change throughout the season, suggesting there will be several shifts before the title race orEuropean qualification spots are settled. The transfer activity around Mangas fits a broader pattern of clubs strengthening key positions with experienced players who can adapt to different tactical systems and styles of play in Russia. For Spartak, bringing in a left-back with international experience could help balance the team’s shape in both steady built-up play and when transitioning to faster counterattacks.