Sporting CP’s prolific winger Pedro Gonçalves, better known as Pote, has become a hot commodity, with Napoli reportedly joining the chase already underway from Premier League clubs Aston Villa and West Ham United, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
he Serie A giants are looking at Pote as a potential replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who might be departing for Paris Saint-Germain. This new development adds a significant competitor to the mix for the Premier League sides.
Both Aston Villa and West Ham have been keeping a close eye on Gonçalves since last season, as reported by A Bola. This sustained interest suggests their genuine desire to acquire him.
With Napoli joining the bidding war, Pote’s transfer fee is likely to climb considerably. Sporting CP values him highly, and his €80 million release clause appears to be the only way to secure his services.
Gonçalves’ recent performances justify the growing interest. He was instrumental in Sporting’s league title triumph last season, racking up an impressive tally of 18 goals and 17 assists.
While both Aston Villa and West Ham have been following Gonçalves for some time, Napoli’s financial resources and potential urgency to find a replacement could make this a much tougher transfer battle for the English clubs.
He is good, very good but I fear that he will be far too expensive for us.