Gustavo Assuncao insisted that he is not thinking about a move away from Famalicao despite reported interest from Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, while speaking to A Bola.
Like Diogo Jota, Raul Jimenez and co, Assuncao is living proof that failing to make the grade at one of Europe’s bona fide super-clubs is not the end of the world.
The 20-year-old Brazilian failed to make a single first-team appearance during a decade with Atletico Madrid, before moving across the Iberian border on a free transfer in July 2019.
Some 18 months later, Famalicao look set to make a massive profit on a player they signed without spending a penny.
AS claims that Assuncao is valued at a cool £23 million these days.
Everton, Manchester United and Sevilla are interested, as are a Wolves side who lost the midfield battle to their relegation-threatened neighbours West Brom during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Molineux.
While Famalicao are used to losing their key players, there are no guarantees that Assuncao will be the next out of the door.
“Actually, I don’t think about these things much,” the former Brazil U17 star said when asked whether he is considering a move.
“My parents taught me that, in football, a situation changes from one day to the next, and I only focus on training myself, being better every day so I can win all three points at the weekend and help Famalicao.”
It remains to be seen whether this is merely an example of a media-trained youngster looking to stay out of the headlines, or whether Assuncao is serious about staying at a Famalicao side sitting just two points above the Primeira Liga relegation zone.
Assuncao completes 87 per cent of his passes and averages 1.7 tackles per game. Yet a tally of seven yellow cards suggests that his timing could still do with some work (WhoScored).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
