If Liverpool are to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro ‘Pote’ Goncalves this summer, then it seems the club will have to spend pretty handsomely to do so, according to reports. The highly-rated forward has an asking-price of £53 million.
This comes from the Portuguese publication Record. They say that Sporting will not accept a penny less than their eight-figure valuation, amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Goncalves, after all, has been one of the most influential players in the Primeira Liga this season.
He has a whopping 14 goals and two assists in 15 Portuguese top-flight matches this season, with Sporting closing in on a first league in just under two decades.
Rúben Amorim’s impressive outfit are currently five points clear at the league summit, having played a game less than second-placed FC Porto.
And Goncalves has been at the forefront of Sporting’s title charge, earning comparisons with his fellow countryman and Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes.
Defensa Central have touted Real Madrid as another interested party in Pote, although Liverpool and United remain the two front-runners.
With that said, amid the growing interest, Sporting have showcased they aren’t going to be deprived of their influential front-man without a fight.
And as a result, Sporting have made it so Pote isn’t prized away from the José Alvalade Stadium for a penny less than £53m.
This means that if Liverpool choose to trigger the aforementioned clause, then Sporting will be powerless to deny Jurgen Klopp the acquisition of one of Portugal’s most promising talents.
What RTK has to say
Much of Liverpool’s reported interest in Pote hinges on what positions Liverpool deem to be a priority in the upcoming transfer window.
Jamie Carragher recently claimed that Liverpool are currently short in three pressing areas: In central defence, central midfield and in attack.
Pote could fall into the category of the latter, although whether the Reds choose to prioritise a more central attacking figure remains to be seen.
Similarly to Fernandes’ time with Sporting, Pote is having a lasting effect in Portugal and is on the verge of making history with a first title win since 2002.
If Liverpool think Pote could also make an effortless transition from Portugal to England, then he could be a player worth keeping a close eye on.