Portuguese newspaper A Bola on Saturday again cover the possibility of Sebastian Coates signing for Benfica in the summer, rather than Sporting. Sunderland loaned the defender to Sporting with a right of redemption for the Portuguese club.
The problem is that Sporting, once again, thought they’d be clever about it and rather than paying Sunderland the €5m as soon as it was clear Coates was a bargain, they instead decided to keep the money, preferring to pay it only at the last minute.
Over time Coates’ form has brought more admirers and now Sporting can’t agree on terms with the player’s representatives, allowing Benfica, the club’s fierce rivals, to try and do a deal with Sunderland themselves.
A Bola report that Benfica would pay Sunderland the same €5m fee, but surely the Premier League club could ask for more. This would be a hugely controversial transfer, something of a coup for Benfica, and Coates is worth more than €5m on the open market.
There’s a chance to make some more money.
