‘Good option’: Club should sell £20m ace to Tottenham or West Ham, former player says

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Former Sporting star Pedrosa isn’t “surprised” by reports linking £20 million-rated forward Jovane Cabral with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, he told Radio Renascenca.

The Lisbon giants have a remarkable track record when it comes to producing wingers with star quality.

And this Cape Verde international is well on his way to following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, Gelson Martins and Ricardo Quaresma.

A right-footed left-sider who loves to cut inside and fire-off shots from long range, Jovane has caught the eye of arguably the most famous and respected Portuguese coach in football history – Spurs’ Jose Mourinho.

West Ham are interested too while, according to A Bola in July, Fulham have already made an initial £9 million offer.

“I am not surprised by this interest. Jovane has already demonstrated his quality and still has a huge margin for progression,” said Pedrosa, who represented Sporting from 1996 to 1999.

“But if there is an agreement, I think it will be worth moving forward with the transfer. If it is advantageous for Sporting, it may be a good option (to sell him).

“Sporting always has young people emerging (from the academy). If Jovane has the opportunity to show himself abroad, this will happen.”

West Ham fans have been pleading for a new left winger for some time, with Felipe Anderson a shadow of the man who shone so brightly during his debut season at the London Stadium.

Highly rated academy graduate Grady Diangana, meanwhile, is leaving for West Brom.

So while Jovane is hardly proven at the top level, his arrival would at least highlight West Ham’s desire to solve a problem position – even if most fans would rather Diangana stayed instead.