West Ham United must beat Aston Villa to the signing of Sporting CP playmaker Pedro Goncalves during the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old has established himself as a vital cog in Ruben Amorim’s system, and his performances have attracted attention from clubs across Europe.
Sporting are reportedly braced for bids for the Portuguese forward, and O Jogo reports that both West Ham and Villa are keen on luring him to the Premier League this summer.
It will take a premium fee of £68 million to prise him away from the Jose Alvalade Stadium as the winger has a release clause, and West Ham must ensure he ends up at London Stadium this summer.
Goncalves would take West Ham to the next level
West Ham are already short on attacking options. While Lucas Paqueta has plugged the gap on the left wing, limited depth has forced right-back Ben Johnson into occasional cameos on the flank.
The January transfer window decisions to permanently offload Pablo Fornals and loan out Said Benrahma without securing replacements haven’t exactly panned out as the best business plan from our standpoint.
Somehow, David Moyes has found a way to navigate a shortage of attacking options, but it needs to be sorted this summer, and Goncalves could be the perfect signing.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward has exploded in the Portuguese top flight, becoming a key player in Sporting’s push for the Primera Liga title this season.
He has been in sensational form for the Lions, returning 15 goals and 14 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions, and it’s no wonder plenty of clubs are paying attention to his development.
In addition to being decisive in the final third, Goncalves has also created an outstanding 15 big chances in the Primera Liga, further cementing his position as an all-round forward.
He can play either on the wing or in the number ten position, and a link-up with Paqueta would undoubtedly take our attacking output to another level.
Goncalves is a truly exceptional talent, and securing his signature would be a significant coup. We must move fast to ensure we beat Villa to his signature this summer.