Atletico Clube Goianiense president Adson Batista has confirmed Arthur Gomes has asked to leave the club amid claims he’s heading to the Premier League and Burnley, speaking to Sagres Online.
Now this is a transfer we didn’t see coming.
After completing the most typical of Sean Dyche signings – a towering, battle-scarred centre-half in the shape of Nathan Collins – Burnley are on the verge of reaching an agreement with an exciting young Brazilian.
23-year-old Gomes has endured a bit of a hit-and-miss spell at Brazilian Serie A outfit Goianiense, scoring just four times in the league.
But it seems the fleet-footed forward has done enough to earn what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the Premier League.
A £2 million deal is apparently close, according to O Popular, with the Santos-owned Gomes cutting his time at Goianiense short as he packs his bags and digs out his passport.
Burnley look to seal deal for Arthur Gomes
“There was a clause (in his contract) saying that, as long as it was the player’s will, he would be released in August,” explains Batista.
“The player expressed his desire to leave Atletico-GO.”
When asked specifically about Burnley, however, Batista was slightly less unequivocal. It seems the Clarets aren’t the only club to have shown an interest in the versatile left-winger.
“Three teams have already been mentioned and I haven’t released the player yet. So we’ll wait and, when it’s all official, we’ll make everything clear,” he said.
Given that Gomes is at his most effective on the left-hand side, a move to Turf Moor may raise more questions about the future of Dwight McNeil.
The England U21 international is a target for Dean Smith’s Aston Villa and Rafa Benitez’s Everton ahead of what could be a hectic end to the summer transfer window.
Burnley have also been linked with Copenhagen defender Victor Nelsson but appear to have hit the buffers in their pursuit of Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite.
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