The Portuguese media is today full of reports about Joelson Fernandes’ new contract with Sporting.
Newspapers A Bola, O Jogo and Record all have stories saying the youngster has agreed to a new five-year deal with the Lions.
What these outlets all have in common as well is that they all use Arsenal’s name to justify the hurry for the player’s new deal.
Even though it’s previously been reported that the Gunners made a bid for Joelson, this is ignored this time. It’s only claimed that the London side, along with German clubs, were competing for his signing, and Sporting needed to protect him from that.
Joelson used to be protected by a €45m release clause, and Sporting president Frederico Varandas wanted to raise it to €100m. The newspapers haven’t reached a consensus about the new amount, but they all say it should be something halfway between those two figures.The 17-year-old is still to make his debut for Sporting, but is seen as one of the club’s biggest prospects for the future.
