Aston Villa remain interested in Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo as Unai Emery continues to rebuild his attack following Morgan Rogers’ departure.
Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reports that Sporting are aware of concrete interest from England. Villa and Fulham are considering offers between €35million and €40million, approximately £30million to £34million, although no formal bid has been reported.
Aston Villa move for Geny Catamo depends on departures
Catamo is a left-footed attacker who usually operates from the right. He can also play on the opposite flank or as an attacking wing-back, offering Emery another flexible option behind Ollie Watkins.
The 25-year-old ended last season with eight goals and four assists. He has also scored twice during Sporting’s opening three pre-season fixtures against Celtic, Strasbourg and Monaco.
However, an Aston Villa move for Geny Catamo may depend on Leon Bailey leaving. ReadAstonVilla reported on Tuesday that Villa want another winger, but are likely to wait until departures create space in Emery’s squad.
Bailey is discussing a possible move to Hull City. Villa prefer a permanent transfer and are seeking between £12million and £20million for the Jamaica international.
Alejandro Garnacho has already arrived from Chelsea, but his strongest position is on the left. Catamo would provide a natural option from the right and allow Emery to use Garnacho closer to his preferred side.
How Catamo could support Ollie Watkins
Catamo would not represent a direct replacement for Rogers. The England international regularly carried possession from deeper positions and created chances through central areas.
The Sporting winger offers a different profile. His speed and close control allow him to attack defenders directly, while his movement from the right could create space for Watkins inside the penalty area.
Catamo also works aggressively without the ball and has experience playing as a wing-back. Those qualities would suit an Emery side which expects its wide players to press and recover into a compact shape.
His final-third output remains below the level Rogers produced during his final Villa season. Catamo would therefore replace part of the attacking threat rather than assume the same creative responsibility.
Villa are also assessing their centre-forward options. ReadAstonVilla reported that Nicolas Jackson remains under consideration, although another striker would only become a priority if Watkins or Tammy Abraham left.
Keeping Watkins and adding another direct winger could help Villa rebuild the combinations lost when Rogers joined Chelsea.
Sporting position could complicate transfer
Sporting remain reluctant to sell Catamo after losing several senior players during the summer. O Jogo says head coach Rui Borges views him as an important member of his new-look squad.
The Portuguese club extended Catamo’s contract in December 2023. The latest report says Sporting have since activated another year, taking the agreement to 2029, while his release clause stands at €60million.
Sporting may still consider an offer approaching €40million. Catamo is also said to favour a future move to the Premier League, which could encourage Villa if Bailey’s departure progresses.
For now, this remains an identified option rather than an advanced transfer. Villa’s interest fits their wider search, but Sporting’s valuation and competition from Fulham leave further work before a deal can develop.
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