Aston Villa interested in Sporting CP’s Pedro Goncalves | OneFootball

Aston Villa are interested in Sporting CP attacker Pedro Goncalves as they eye reinforcements this summer, according to A Bola.

Villa are on the verge of booking their place in the Champions League next season and need quality additions to compete on multiple fronts.

Goncalves has caught the eye of the Villains following another terrific individual campaign in Portugal.

The Villa target has bounced back from the long-term injury that ruled him out for most of last season to tally 14 goals and seven assists in 29 appearances this term.

Goncalves’ output in Portugal has been consistently remarkable. He registered 18 goals and 17 assists in 2023/24, matching his 35 goal contributions the season before.

The Portuguese international is a technically proficient forward who can fill any attacking role behind the striker in Unai Emery’s 4-2-3-1.

Emery loves versatile players, and he fits the bill. Goncalves is the complete package as an attacker. He is a goalscorer, creator and driving force all in one.

He has been one of the best attackers in the Portuguese top flight for several years.

Villa sense he might be up for a new adventure and want to pounce, but they are not alone. Bayer Leverkusen are also showing interest in him.

He is under contract through 2030, and Sporting can demand a sizeable fee.

Goncalves is a calculated risk worth taking for Villa. He offers a level of end product and consistency that Emiliano Buendia has struggled to match.

While Buendia brings energy and flashes of creativity, Goncalves delivers sustained output in goals and assists.

He remains oddly underrated given his numbers and consistency. If Villa are serious about stepping up in Europe and the league, this is the kind of upgrade they cannot ignore.