Sunderland test Sporting CP resolve over Geny Catamo

Sunderland have made an informal approach to Sporting CP about a potential deal for Mozambique international Geny Catamo, but the Portuguese club have immediately rejected the prospect of negotiations.

The 25-year-old winger has been monitored by Sunderland scouts for several months and is highly regarded by manager Regis Le Bris because of his versatility on the right side of the pitch.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Sunderland’s hierarchy recently contacted Sporting CP to establish the conditions of a possible transfer. However, the English club have not submitted a formal offer for the player.

Sporting CP’s response was described as unequivocal, with the Lisbon club making clear that Catamo is regarded as an essential member of their squad for the forthcoming season. The club are therefore unwilling to consider his departure unless their financial demands are met.

Catamo’s contract contains a release clause worth 60m euros, and Sporting CP do not intend to sanction a transfer below that figure. The clause gives the Portuguese side a strong negotiating position as interest in the Mozambique international continues to grow.

Interest from several leagues

Sunderland’s approach is not the only one Catamo has attracted this summer. Clubs from England, Italy and Saudi Arabia have all made enquiries about his availability in recent weeks.

So far, Sporting CP’s firm stance has discouraged most of those interested parties and prevented discussions from developing significantly. The club regard Catamo as a key part of their plans and have shown little willingness to weaken their position.

Despite the difficulty of the deal, Sunderland have not abandoned their interest. The eventual outcome could depend partly on Catamo’s own ambitions, particularly if he decides that a move to the Premier League would represent the next major step in his career.

Catamo is currently valued at about 25m euros by the market, although Sporting CP’s 60m-euro release clause sets a much higher price for any club seeking to secure his services. He remains under contract with Sporting CP until 30 June 2028.

His current annual salary in Portugal is reported to be 770,000 euros, equivalent to 500,500,000 FCFA.

Catamo joined Sporting CP after developing his career in Portugal and has established himself as an important option for the club. His ability to operate in different roles on the right has been a particular attraction for Le Bris, as Sunderland look to build on what was described as an almost perfect first season in the top flight.

Sporting CP are due to begin their Portuguese league campaign shortly, with a first-day fixture against Estrela. The match has also been listed by betting company 1xbet, which offers odds of 1.19 for a Sporting CP win, 6.00 for a draw and 13.00 for an Estrela victory.