Since Everton and Newcastle United started being linked to Sporting striker Bas Dost, the chances of signing him have been only getting smaller.
First reports said there was no way he would leave for less than his €60m release clause. Then the player himself ruled out a January transfer, and his agent did the same, not wanting to feed any kind of speculation.
It came out as a blow first for Newcastle, who reportedly bid €40m in the summer, and then for Everton, who would have him as a winter target.
And as reported by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Sporting have now decided they want to extend his contract, exactly to prevent the approaches from other European clubs.
The current contract, which would run until 2020, is set to be extended for two more years, with not a huge pay raise because Dost already has a pretty good salary at the club.
There’s no mention of an increase in the release clause though, so in case Newcastle or Everton manage to convince the player, the €60m could still solve the problem.
But as the player seems pretty happy in Lisbon, and has reportedly just bought a €1m house, these clubs will have some work to attract him.
