Aston Villa Want To Sign This €80m Winger: Is He The Right Choice? | OneFootball

Sport Witness has covered a report from A Bola, which has intensified the rumours of transfer talks between Aston Villa and Sporting CP. The source reveals that the Lions are yet again showing interest in winger Pedro Gonçalves and might want to sign him before the January transfer window of 2026.

The 27-year-old has been in excellent form so far this season, while the Portuguese club wants to extend the contract of one of the most important players in their squad. Sporting have constantly reiterated that they are not willing to sell Gonçalves, and the reports reveal that the Portuguese club want to tie him down till 2030.

His club even wants to increase the winger’s salary as he has a release clause of €80 million. If both parties agree on a new deal, then Sporting CP can demand a fee close to his release clause, if they want to sell him. Villa previously tried to sign Sporting player Geny Catamo, but the deal failed.

Aston Villa’s Approach and Potential Challenges:

FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 31: Pedro Goncalves of Sporting CP celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese Super Cup match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Algarve on July 31, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

With Aston Villa’s fluid attacking structure under Unai Emery last season, signing a player like Pedro Gonçalves brings both promise and questions. His greatest strength is his comfort in both winger and attacking midfielder roles, which could directly support Ollie Watkins. The 27-year-old’s goalscoring ability and creativity make him valuable, which is why Villa are considering him.

Even so, the interest raises questions. Gonçalves struggled with serious injuries last season and missed long periods, which raised doubts about his consistency. The size of his release clause is a significant consideration for any club, especially given his injury history.

Villa already have Morgan Rogers, Harvey Elliott, and Emi Buendia, which makes competition for playing time intense. Emery’s style relies on a high defensive line and organised pressing, and in this system, Gonçalves will need to improve his fitness and positional awareness.

The question remains whether the Portuguese international can perform consistently at the Premier League level. Therefore, Villa will have to make a decision based on both his strengths and limitations. Interestingly, reports also suggest that Atlético Madrid are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans, which could further complicate the club’s transfer situation. Ultimately, Gonçalves’ potential arrival looks attractive for Villa, but the decision demands caution and clear judgment.