Sunderland have been credited with interest in Geny Catamo this week, and the response from Portugal has been quick. 

The Sporting CP player is no stranger to Premier League interest. Indeed, it’s probably no exaggeration to say he’s been linked with a third of England’s top flight.

Premier League clubs including Aston Villa, Fulham, Burnley (prior to relegation), and Everton have had associated reports in recent months.

What happened with Aston Villa

In April, it was reported in Portugal that Aston Villa had been interested when the price was €20m. However, Sporting had upped it to €30m, and that particular line then went quiet.

That €30m figure is worth considering when it’s now reported what Sporting want now.

Doubling of asking price for Sunderland

A Bola now cover Sunderland making contact for Geny Catamo. The Black Cats have made initial contact for the 25-year-old, and been told the price has doubled.

The Portuguese newspaper states Sporting will only let Catamo leave for the value of his release clause this summer. That’s because they’re in the process of selling several other players.

Ousmane Diomande is part of a saga regarding a transfer to Nottingham Forest. Pedro Gonçalves has been blowing hot and cold on a move to Saudi, and Daniel Bragança is closing in on a transfer to Olympiacos.

A Bola state Sporting’s stance is ‘no one else is leaving’. That is, unless the release clause is met.

Who is Geny Catamo?

The Sporting player was was born in Maputo and is a Mozambique international. He moved to Sporting’s youth system in 2019. After various loans he cemented himself in the Lisbon club’s team.

Last season, Catamo played 47 matches for Sporting, mainly as a right winger. He rarely plays the full 90 minutes but usually comes close to it.

Over 3,145 minutes during the last campaign, he scored eight goals and added five assists. One of those goals came in the Champions League, against Marseille. He also got an assist against Club Brugge.

Goals in the Portuguese league have tended to come against the smaller clubs.

€60m is way too much

Sunderland are not going to be paying €60m Geny Catamo. The price was €30m in April and there’s no reason the player is more valuable now.

For Sporting, there’s a fair point to say they don’t want to lose more players. However, if Sunderland, or anyone else, were to offer, say, €40m, then it would likely be accepted.

Catamo has a contract lasting until 2028. The player’s value will start to drop from next summer, another reason why €60m is ludicrous.