Rumor: Sporting CP enters hunt for Trabzonspor's Oscar Cardozo

News from Portugal suggests there may be a new front runner in the race to sign Trabzonspor's Oscar Cardozo. A Bola reports that Sporting Clube de Portugal has made an approach to lure the Paraguayan forward back to the country where he once dominated defenses.

A prolific scorer for Benfica for the best part of a decade, Cardozo produced similar form in his first year in Turkey, but his sophomore season for Trabzonspor was less successful by his standards and those expected of him by his club. A recent rumor linked Cardozo to the New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake, and included suggestion of a multi-million dollar transfer fee since the player still has a year to run on his contract.

But A Bola reports Cardozo would be willing to take a pay cut and try to persuade Trabzonspor to let him leave for free, such is his desire to return to Portugal.

The major incentive would appear to be the fact Jorge Jesus - the head coach at Benfica for most of Cardozo's time at the club - is now at Sporting.

The 33-year-old was playing in Portugal as recently as 2014, so he has recent knowledge of the country's soccer scene. And he knows Jorge Jesus well.

Turkey's Fotospor suggests Cardozo was not inclined to move "to China or other countries", but the opportunity to return to Portugal and his former Benfica coach has got his attention.