Following reports from the English media saying Leicester City and Watford were interested in Gonzalo Plata, we now have a response from the Portuguese press about the chase.
Several local newspapers are covering this rumour today, and Record is the one who brings the longest article, making it clear the move is a little unlikely for now.
They take the claims which said Foxes and Hornets would like to spend £22m on the player and say he’d cost way more than that.
It’s claimed that Sporting are already aware of the interest that the 19-year-old has been drawing, and would only negotiate at €45m.
Plata is actually protected by a release clause of €60m, so considering how Sporting usually negotiate, having a lower price tag can be seen as a discount given by the Lions.Even though it’s claimed they’d like to hold onto him for now.
Plata was signed by Sporting from Ecuadorian side Independiente in a €1.1m deal in January 2019. It was only this season that he’s made his debut for the club, and is still finding his place in the team, with two goals and one assist in 14 appearances so far.
Since Sporting players are never cheap, Leicester City and Watford were probably expecting to see this big demand coming from Lisbon.
