- Aston Villa target Geny Catamo has had his asking price increased to €30 million (£26 million) by Sporting CP
- Villa reportedly made a €20 million (£17.3 million) offer last summer which was rejected
- Clubs in England, France and Italy are said to be monitoring his progress
Aston Villa will need to pay at least €30 million (£26 million) if they are to sign Geny Catamo from Sporting CP this summer. This is after the Mozambique winger’s excellent form this season forcing the Portuguese club to change their stance.
A Bola has reported that Villa and Fenerbahçe made €20 million (£17.3 million) offers last year when he was available, but were both rejected. Now, with Sporting more inclined to keep the 25-year-old, their asking price has increased, and they are more likely to put up a fight.
Catamo has been a key player for Rui Borges this season, after an injury to Geovany Quenda has allowed him to start the majority of games. He has played 42 times in all competitions on the right wing, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
Sporting’s management has been impressed, and therefore has reevaluated their position. With his current contract running until 2028, they are looking to renew his terms and extend to 2029. They see him as an important piece for next season.
Lyon and Napoli held interest in the January transfer market, but turned their attention to Catamo’s teammate Alisson Santons. The latter signed Santos on loan until the end of the season. However, both clubs could revisit their admiration for Catamo in the summer.
Villa’s need for a right winger
For the past two seasons, Villa have failed to find a consistent replacement for the explosive output once provided by Moussa Diaby.
While the club initially hoped that Leon Bailey would step into that void permanently, the Jamaican has struggled with consistency and injury setbacks. His recent form has plummeted, leaving Unai Emery without a reliable left-footed winger.
Although Emery utilised summer signing Evann Guessand in that position, the 24-year-old wasn’t at all at the level required.
This is precisely where Catamo enters the conversation. His breakout season in Lisbon has shown he possesses the raw acceleration of Diaby, but with a more refined defensive discipline, having featured as a wing-back at times.
In Emery’s defensive shapes, a winger must be as diligent in tracking back as they are in the final third. Catamo’s defensive work rate makes him a more balanced “Emery-type” player than what Bailey offers.
Financially and strategically, the urgency to secure the No 10 is driven by Villa’s ambitions, and their current squad depth on the flanks. Throughout the current campaign, the Villans often relied on central play through Morgan Rogers because they have lacked quality on the right wing.
While his jump in valuation makes Villa’s decision more difficult, he could be the necessary investment to finally replace the lost productivity of Diaby.
