According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Arsenal will have to pay the €60million release clause in the contract of Sporting star Pedro Goncalves.
It’s claimed that Arsenal are closely following Goncalves and his performances in Portugal, and his name is ‘on the table’ as a possible signing for the summer.
However, Sporting are in no mood to negotiate and will point Arsenal towards the release clause in Goncalves’ contract – which stands at €60million, around £51.5million; more than the £50million Martin Odegaard would cost.
Goncalves has a deal with Sporting until 2025, meaning they are under no immediate pressure to sell, and may be difficult to deal with – just as they were when Manchester United wanted Bruno Fernandes.
The 22-year-old is no stranger to English football, as he joined Wolverhampton Wanderes from Valencia in 2017, but was moved on to Famalicao in 2019.
After just one year there, Goncalves – also known as Pote – joined Sporting, and what a move it has been. This season, he has racked up 15 goals and four assists in 23 league games.
Goncalves has played mostly as an attacking midfielder or right-sided winger this season, meaning he could be viewed as an alternative to Odegaard at Arsenal should they be unable to lure the Norwegian back to London.
It’s a huge price needed for Goncalves though, and one that may just scare Arsenal off with Sporting having no intention of negotiating.
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