The Ball – Pedro Gonçalves (Last) Armored (Sporting)

Finally armored. Pedro Gonçalves is a lion… almost entirely. BOLA had already presented Sporting’s intentions and Frederico Varandas confirmed what he considered “good news”. SAD has strengthened its position regarding the economic rights of Pedro Gonçalves and has already acquired, together with Famalicão, another 40% of the Leonín goalkeeper’s pass in recent seasons for another 7 million euros.

Final billing? Pedro Gonçalves is a 90% lion with a total investment of €13.5m (6.5€ for 50% in the first place and now more than €7 for 40%) leaving, however, Minho FC with the remaining 10% of the Portuguese international.

A large sum went directly to the second largest promotion investment in Lions history, behind Paulinho. This was, in fact, apart from the attack on the market, one of the priorities (which SAD had worked on for a long time) in protecting the most important members of the division under the orders of Rúben Amorim. Where Pedro Gonçalves plays a very notorious role.

In addition to the importance of what sporting performance was – Pedro Gonçalves scored an impressive 58 goals in 129 competitive matches for the Lions – Sporting would have a huge negotiating margin in any future transfer. Moreover, despite some getting close, the Lions never opened the exit doors, considering that in their possession they only had half of the player’s pass. The scenario that has changed shape now that the transfer will always be worth a very large influx.

A condition of 80 million euros
Just remember that Pedro Gonçalves’ termination clause was the first to hit the €80m market in January. Almost the entire card guarantee, therefore, provides great comfort in looking to… the future.

Certainly at the moment, despite being one of the most watched assets of the bunch by some of the European giants, Pedro Gonçalves is the stone-and-lime in 2023/2024. He is, unsurprisingly, one of Leo’s outcasts (and non-negotiable…). With few exploratory contacts, without formal proposals, Pedro Gonçalves is also committed to being once again one of the figures in the renewed team. Not only to help Sporting win the coveted title, but also to continue fighting for a call-up to the national team, one of the goals that has remained on the mind of the midfielder (turned goalscorer) since his arrival at Alvalade.