TugaScout is an English-language site reporting on matters associated with Portuguese football by freelance writer Alex Goncalves, offering the latest news, reviews and opinions surrounding the Portuguese League and the Seleção players based abroad.

Sporting on the verge of bringing in Pedro Gonçalves

Sporting on the verge of bringing in Pedro Gonçalves

Famalicão star Pedro Gonçalves is close to becoming Sporting's latest addition in the summer transfer window.

The 22-year old, who has just come off an outstanding season for Famalicão, has been the source of considerable interest, with the three biggest clubs in Portugal in Benfica, Porto and Sporting tracking the former Valencia midfielder.

Sporting are expected to pay in the region of 7 million euros for Gonçalves, with Famalicão set to retain a significant percentage of his future sell-on fee.

Gonçalves moved to Famalicão from Wolverhampton Wanderers for no fee in the summer of 2019, and was relatively unknown in Portugal upon his arrival.

He made a significant impact from the off though, playing 33 Primeira Liga matches, and starting 32, as he scored 5 and assisted 6.

The only match he did not start was in a 0-7 home defeat to Vitoria Guimarães, while the only match he missed entirely was through suspension.

With his dribbling prowess, passing ability and keen eye for goal, Gonçalves surprised many by proving to be a very complete and accomplished central midfield player, while his relative youth makes him an even greater acquisition.

Sporting finished 4th in the Primeira Liga last season, and will enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round.

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