Sporting Lisbon have now responded to multiple approaches from Aston Villa about a transfer for Pedro Goncalves. The midfielder is also a target of Tottenham Hotspur.
That is according to A Bola, which reports that Aston Villa have scouted Goncalves regularly since he joined Sporting Lisbon. But the Birmingham outfit are now ready to launch a move to see the 24-year-old return to England. The Villans are even adamant with their interest.
Goncalves moved to the Jose Alvalade Stadium back in September 2020 after just one term with Famalicao. He relaunched his career upon returning to his native Portugal in July 2019 after two unsuccessful years at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He played just once at Wolves.
Sporting Lisbon respond to Aston Villa’s interest in Pedro Goncalves
The Molineux natives cut their losses with Goncalves only making a 28-minute cameo in an EFL Cup tie in August 2018 for them. But he has regularly been a creative force in Portugal since. Sporting signed Goncalves after he hit seven and assisted eight goals with Famalicao.
To date, Goncalves has repaid Sporting Lisbon’s decision to sign him with 58 goals and 34 assists in 129 games. The two-cap Portugal international registered 20 of those goals, plus 15 assists, in 51 appearances in 2022/23. He hit 15 and created 12 in his 33 league games.
So, Aston Villa feel now is the time to advance their interest and have approached Sporting Lisbon to discuss Goncalves’ transfer. But the Leoes responded to the Villans’ multiple tries at holding talks by endlessly pointing Unai Emery’s side to his €80m (£69m) release clause.
Tottenham have also held talks with Sporting Lisbon for his transfer
Sporting Lisbon will not grant Goncalves a transfer to Aston Villa for anything less than the clause in his contract valid until June 2026. It is the same stance that the Leoes took when Tottenham advanced their interest in Goncalves’ transfer back in April of this year, as well.
Reports by Record claimed that Tottenham moved to hold talks with Sporting Lisbon after hearing about Aston Villa’s interest in Goncalves’ transfer. The north London natives were further concerned as the Villans marked the versatile playmaker as a key summer target.
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