Sporting swoop for Conceicao

Conceicao was handed a free transfer by Inter after the winger failed to impress during his two-year sojourn at Giuseppe Meazza.

The 28-year-old was swiftly linked with a return to his former club FC Porto while teams in England and Spain were contemplating offering Conceicao a career lifeline.

The former Lazio ace is determined to secure regular first-team football this term as he seeks to cement his spot in the Portuguese squad for Euro 2004.

It would appear Sporting have been able to satisfy that demand and are on the verge of securing Conceicao's signature.

Conceicao is being offered a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months but he must accept a marked decrease in wages to seal a move to Sporting.

He would also be handed the vacant spot on the right flank, which is available after Ricardo Quaresma's departure to Barcelona.