Aston Villa could now have another opportunity to sign Pedro Gonçalves after Sporting CP reportedly slashed their asking price for the Portugal international.
The Premier League club previously saw a €40m (£33.8m) bid rejected for the attacking midfielder during the peak of his rise in Portuguese football. Since then, Sporting’s valuation has steadily fallen, with earlier reports suggesting they would accept around €30m (£25.4m).
According to A Bola, that price has now dropped even further. The Portuguese outlet claims Sporting are prepared to sell the 27-year-old for between €20m (£16.9m) and €25m (£21.1m), with both the club and player now working towards a summer transfer.
Sporting reduce valuation as exit nears
Pedro Gonçalves returned to pre-season training under new head coach Rui Borges earlier this month, but A Bola reports that his departure is now viewed as increasingly likely within the club.
The biggest development concerns Sporting’s valuation. Having initially hoped to receive around €30m, the absence of firm offers has reportedly persuaded the Portuguese champions to lower their demands significantly.
Interested clubs are now believed to be able to sign the Portugal international for between €20m and €25m.
The report also adds that renowned agent Jorge Mendes has taken charge of managing the transfer process as Sporting actively seek potential buyers.
Internal issues contribute to transfer plans
A Bola also reveals further details behind the player’s expected departure. Following Sporting’s Portuguese Cup defeat to Torreense, Pedro Gonçalves openly admitted he had struggled mentally after returning from injury and often played with the fear of suffering another setback.
According to the report, those comments were not well received by senior figures at the club.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas is said to have discussed the matter internally. Although the criticism was not aimed solely at Gonçalves, the situation reportedly strengthened the belief that this summer represents the right time for both parties to move on.
That aligns with growing reports across the Portuguese media suggesting the six-year relationship between player and club is approaching its natural end.
Villa could benefit from changing situation
Sporting are no longer determined to keep Pedro Gonçalves at any cost and are instead actively pursuing a transfer. Their asking price has reportedly fallen by as much as €20m, while Jorge Mendes has been tasked with attracting concrete offers.
The financial details also favour Sporting. The club invested a combined €13.5m (£11.4m) to sign Gonçalves from Famalicão and later increase their ownership of his economic rights to 90%, meaning his former club will receive 10% of any future transfer fee.
Although the attacking midfielder remains under contract until 2030 and still has an €80m (£67.6m) release clause, A Bola reports that Sporting are now willing to negotiate for a fee that is little more than half of what Aston Villa were once prepared to pay.
