Sporting are closer to renewing the contract of a player for whom West Ham United, Fulham and Southampton are said to have tabled offers in the summer transfer window, according to the Portuguese press.
A Bola reported in September that West Ham, Fulham and an unnamed English side had each made unsuccessful bids for the winger, Jovane Cabral.
And Record claimed last month that negotiations were ‘well underway’ between Southampton and Sporting regarding Jovane’s transfer.
No such move materialised, however, with Southampton turning instead to Theo Walcott, while West Ham and Fulham brought in Said Benrahma and Ademola Lookman, respectively.
As such, Sporting were said to have opened talks about extending and improving Jovane’s deal.
And the Portuguese giants have now ‘intensified contacts’ with player’s representatives, with their intention being to conclude discussions by end of the month, according to O Jogo.
The website adds that negotiations have ‘evolved a lot in the last hours’ and are still ongoing, with an early-December conclusion date considered a worst-case scenario.
It is claimed that Sporting intend to extend Jovane’s stay at the Estadio Jose Alvalade by a further two years, increase his termination clause from €60 million (around £53.7m) to €100m (around £89.5m) and hand him a ‘substantial’ pay rise.
Record reported, however, that it is Jovane who is pushing for a two-year extension, running until June 2025.
And it added that Sporting are in no rush to reach an agreement, prioritising instead a new contract for Nuno Mendes, who has been linked to several of West Ham, Fulham and Southampton’s Premier League rivals.
Renewing Jovane’s deal does not guarantee that West Ham, Fulham or Southampton will not revive their interest in future transfer windows.
The 22-year-old has scored or assisted three goals in six league games for the side managed by Ruben Amorim this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
