Gonzalo Plata has been dropped to Sporting Lisbon’s reserves after reported interest from Newcastle United and Leicester City failed to materialise into a January transfer, as reported by MaisFutebol.
The explosive Ecuador international admitted in 2020 he “dreams” of playing in the Premier League one day.
And he may have felt his wish was about to come true when West Ham, Newcastle, Leicester and Brighton all emerged as potential suitors heading into the winter window.
According to The Sun (29 November, page 65), Plata was a target for a handful of top-flight clubs.
What’s more, Sporting wouldn’t have stood in his way if Leicester and co had come forward with a serious offer.
The Lisbon giants were prepared to accept bids of about £20 million. His Premier League suitors would have even been permitted to take Plata on an initial loan deal – a ‘try-before-you-buy’ arrangement if ever there was one.
But when the window slammed shut at 11pm on Monday, Plata was stuck in Lisbon with no means of escape.
With just 150 minutes of Primeira Liga football under his belt this season, the 20-year-old has struggled to win over Sporting coach Ruben Amorim.
And his miserable 2020/21 campaign has just hit rock bottom.
Amorim, MaisFutebol claims, was far from impressed by a perceived lack of effort during training.
A demotion to the B team followed. Plata was then omitted from the squad on Monday night as Sporting edged bitter rivals Benfica 1-0 win to remain four points clear at the top of the table.
“With Plata, it is a question of managing expectations,” Amorim tells A Bola.
“We want to make Plata a great player. He has a lot of talent – but to be a great player you need something more.”
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