According to reports emanating from Portugal, a large contingent on Sporting CP stars will leave the Lisbon based club for free this summer, after letters confirming the termination of their contracts were submitted to the Portuguese Football Federation.
William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes have already advanced with Sporting's request for rescission, while Rui Patrício and Daniel Podence are also set to depart the club this summer, as reported by Portuguese news outlet Record.
The news follows a malicious attack on Sporting's players and staff at the Academy of Alcochete last month, where around 50 hooded supporters, armed with belts and stick, attacked the players at the end of a training session.