‘I’ve Talked To’ – Boss Tackles Question About Sunderland Trying To Sign Star | OneFootball

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Sporting Lisbon head coach Rui Borges has addressed Sunderland’s growing interest in winger Geny Catamo, with the Black Cats pushing to secure a deal for the 25-year-old.

The Liga Portugal forward first emerged on Liverpool’s radar in July, although Sporting Lisbon were reluctant to entertain his departure at that stage.

Sunderland soon followed the Reds’ interest and, despite seeing an initial offer rejected, have continued negotiations with the Lions in an attempt to bridge the gap.

The Mozambique international, who has two years remaining on his contract, has been offered a salary five times higher than his current wages to make the move to the Stadium of Light.

Sporting Lisbon remain firm on their valuation, with the Portuguese outfit seeking a fixed fee of €40m before seriously considering negotiations, while talks for the 25-year-old remain ongoing.

Borges has played down the transfer speculation surrounding Catamo, stressing that his focus remains on the winger’s day-to-day response at Sporting Lisbon while not engaging with comments from the Mozambique national team coach about a Sunderland move.

The 45-year-old says he has spoken to the 25-year-old in the same way he has with the rest of the squad and sees it as his responsibility to help his players maintain their emotional balance amid interest from other clubs.

Despite the movement in and out of the squad during the transfer window, Borges says Catamo has continued to perform well, describing him as fully focused on the Lions and doing a fantastic job.

When asked about his conversations with the Mozambique star and the Sunderland transfer link, Borges revealed at a press conference (via Portuguese sports daily A Bola): “I’ve talked to Geny just as I’ve talked to everyone else.

“As for the national team coach, I’m not going to comment on that.

“We’re at Sporting; players are sought after by various teams, and we have to know how to handle that.

“As a coach, I also have to help maintain that emotional balance.

“This week, ten more players have joined Sporting, and four or five have left.

“That’s the transfer market at work, and your work, too.

“I’m focused on the day-to-day, on how Geny and everyone else responds.

“He’s been doing a fantastic job, playing well, and is completely focused on Sporting.”

Regis Le Bris guided Sunderland to an impressive campaign last season, securing Europa League football, and after a relatively quiet summer, the Black Cats are now stepping up their recruitment drive.

The only addition so far has been right-back Thomas Meunier from Lille.

Sunderland are closing in on Royal Antwerp star Jules Ahoka but are at risk of losing out to Fiorentina for Bayer Leverkusen winger Ernest Poku.

With the summer transfer window closing in little more than a week, the Black Cats must move quickly if they are to bring in further reinforcements before the deadline.