Wednesday’s edition of O Jogo has a big article which insists Pedro Gonçalves won’t be leaving Sporting for less than €80m this summer.
That’s the value of the midfielder’s clause, and it’s explained that he’s key for manager Ruben Amorim, and therefore president Frederico Varandas is putting his foot down.
According to the report, there’s been ‘insistence’ for a while from Aston Villa to sign Pedro Gonçalves, but they haven’t at any point shown intention to go close to that €80m.
Bayer Leverkusen also have longstanding interest, although their €30m offer last year was laughed off.
In addition, there’s now also interest from Al Ittihad, who are also being told it’s €80m or nothing for Pedro Gonçalves.
Aston Villa are said to have made repeated advances and each time been discouraged by Sporting’s stance around the player.
Interest in the 26-year-old is understandable, last season he scored 18 goals and contributed 17 assists across 49 matches. He can, and does, play attacking midfield left wing, right wing, central midfield, and would clearly be a quality and versatile addition to a Premier League squad.
O Jogo say he’s tempted by the Premier League, and is keen to sign the ‘contract of his life’. The amounts will likely be reasonable in relative terms.
Turning 27 next June, Pedro Gonçalves is surely be worried that his chances of a huge move will start to drop simply due to his age.
He’s listed as being represented by Jorge Pires, and is by far the agent’s biggest client. It’s not too hard to believe he’d be long gone had he been part of the Gestifute stable.
Despite all these big claims from Sporting, should someone arrive with, say, €50m and the player wants the move – and agitates for it – there’s surely a good chance the transfer happens.
