Sunderland are preparing to have another go at signing Sporting winger Geny Catamo in January. And this time, José Fonte is apparently the man pushing hardest to make it happen.
The Black Cats are having a miserable season. After finishing seventh and qualifying for Europe last year, they’ve somehow ended up bottom of the Premier League.
Fonte, who works as Régis Le Bris’ assistant, believes the Mozambique international could help turn things around. He’s convinced Catamo has what Sunderland need, and wants the club to make another move.
There’s just one rather expensive problem… Sporting still want €40m for him, and they’re not keen on selling.
José Fonte wants Catamo at Sunderland
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that Fonte is the main driving force behind Sunderland’s renewed interest.
The former Portugal international knows the Portuguese league inside out. He only retired last season after playing for Casa Pia, and apparently sees Catamo as someone who could make a real difference at the Stadium of Light.
It’s not as though Sunderland haven’t tried before. Last summer, they offered Sporting more than €30m, with bonuses taking the package close to €40m. The Portuguese champions turned it down, holding firm on their valuation.
For Catamo himself, the move was financially tempting. The salary on offer in England was reportedly five times what he earns in Lisbon.
Now Fonte wants another attempt, with Sunderland’s position making January recruitment all the more important.
Sporting have other plans for Catamo
The trouble for Sunderland is that Sporting would much prefer to keep their number 10.
A Bola explains that the €40m asking price hasn’t changed. The Lisbon club have also offered Catamo a new contract until 2031, extending his current deal by two years. His release clause stands at €60m.
The 25-year-old started the season brilliantly, producing two goals and three assists in his first five appearances. His form subsequently dipped, though, and so did Sporting’s. Results got bad enough to cost Rui Borges his job, which could actually change things for Sunderland.
Borges was a big admirer of Catamo, and the two had a close relationship. So losing him could leave the winger in a rather different position at the club.
In the past few days, multiple reports around Europe confirmed former Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca had agreed to replace Borges. And while there’s no suggestion Fonseca wants Catamo gone, a new manager brings new ideas. The winger will have to see where he fits into those plans.
And there’s one more complication, though. Nestory Irankunda could be away with Australia at the Asian Cup in January, potentially leaving Sporting short of attacking options.
According to A Bola, that possibility, combined with Sunderland’s expected return, could push Sporting into the transfer market themselves.
So there’s quite a bit changing in Lisbon just as Fonte prepares to push for Catamo again. Sunderland may find a different situation from the one they faced last summer, although Sporting’s €40m (£35m) valuation is still a pretty sizeable obstacle.
