Aston Villa and Fulham are still firmly in the race for Geny Catamo after another strong season from the Sporting CP winger, but the market around him is beginning to look far more crowded.
The Mozambique international has produced eight goals and three assists in 41 matches this season and has become one of Sporting’s most reliable attacking outlets.
His growth over the past year has been significant, especially after establishing himself as a key player under Rui Borges.
That rise is attracting more and more attention across Europe. And it’s becoming obvious that he needs a bigger stage.
Wider chase for the winger
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Fiorentina have now joined the growing list of clubs tracking Catamo after closely monitoring his performances in Portugal.
Napoli and Atalanta were already keeping tabs on him earlier this year, and another Serie A side has now entered the picture.
Burnley, however, appear to be out of the running after their relegation to the Championship. That leaves Aston Villa and Fulham as the Premier League clubs still clearly attached to the Sporting winger heading towards the summer window.
Catamo’s rise is changing the market
The 25-year-old is enjoying the best campaign of his career and has become one of Sporting’s most important attacking players. Rui Borges has relied heavily on him throughout the season, especially after injuries elsewhere in the squad, including Geovany Quenda.
O Jogo explain that Sporting received several approaches for Catamo in January but refused to sell midway through the campaign while still fighting on multiple fronts. Since then, his importance has only increased.
The winger recently renewed his contract until 2029 and saw his salary almost double to around €700,000 per year (£600,000).
Sporting kept his €60m (£51m) release clause untouched, though the growing interest around him suggests the summer could become very busy. As per our lastest coverage, it will take €20-30m (£17m-£26m) to get him.
Burnley fall away as bigger competition arrives
Villa first pushed for Catamo last summer, while Marco Silva has him targeted for a long time at Fulham. Now the situation has changed.
Burnley’s relegation has effectively taken them out of the equation for a player whose profile keeps rising across Europe. Instead of the race getting smaller, it is becoming more competitive.
Catamo is attracting attention across multiple top leagues, and Sporting know they are holding one of the club’s biggest potential summer sales. The Portuguese side are expected to evaluate offers once the season ends.
For Aston Villa and Fulham, the challenge is clearer. They are still in the race, but they are now dealing with stronger European competition and a player whose value keeps climbing almost every month.
