Jorge Mendes steps in, Sporting ready to sell Pote for under half clause | OneFootball

Pedro Gonçalves is getting closer and closer to leaving Sporting, and the upcoming summer transfer window is expected to mark the end of a six-season spell. The departure of the Portugal international is already seen as a likely scenario by both the player and Sporting’s hierarchy, despite the contract renewal signed in October last year.

According to newspaper A Bola, Jorge Mendes is expected to play an important role in the process, trying to find the best destination for the “number 8.” Although Saudi Arabia remains a possibility, Pedro Gonçalves’ future could lie in one of Europe’s top leagues, with interest from several clubs in the English, Spanish, German, Italian, and French leagues.

Unlike in previous transfer windows, when Sporting turned down multimillion-euro offers for the player, the situation is now different. In Alvalade, there is now a willingness to negotiate the Portugal international’s transfer, at a time when both sides understand that the player’s cycle at the club is nearing its end. Sporting’s SAD is aiming for a fee in the region of €30 million, although the market may ultimately dictate a different amount, and the player has an €80 million release clause.

Jorge Mendes’ involvement in the process is expected to speed things up in the coming weeks. The Portuguese agent is ready to explore different options and present concrete offers to Sporting, with the strongest possibilities involving clubs with European ambitions in the continent’s top leagues.

The possible departure of Pedro Gonçalves also comes at a time of major reshaping of Sporting’s squad. Rui Borges had planned to use the Portugal international in a more central midfield role, but his transfer could help facilitate the restructuring of an area that has already lost Hidemasa Morita and could still see Morten Hjulmand and Daniel Bragança leave. At the same time, the Lions have already secured the arrivals of Issa Doumbia, Pedro Lima, and Silas Andersen, while João Palhinha and Sergi Altimira remain among the main targets to strengthen the department.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.