Aston Villa may find themselves paying close attention to Geny Catamo again after his latest European performance.
The winger, who was on the club’s radar during the summer window, played a decisive role in Sporting CP’s 2-1 comeback win over Marseille in the Champions League on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old winger opened the scoring to spark the turnaround at Alvalade, on a night that also marked his 100th appearance for Sporting’s senior side.
t was his first goal of the season after a stop-start beginning due to injuries, and another reminder of why Sporting refused to sell him in the summer.
Both Aston Villa and Fenerbahçe had made moves a few months ago, but Sporting stood firm on their €25-30m valuation (around £21-26m).
The Premier League side ultimately chose not to go that high, and with the winger now back in form, his €60m release clause could soon look like a [**distant memory**](https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-wouldnt-pay-extra-e5-10m-in-summer-price-could-now-rise-to-e80m/).
Portuguese outlet [**Noticias ao Minuto**](https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/2875850/acredito-que-a-premier-league-esta-feita-a-medida-de-geny-catamo) interviewed coach Luís Gonçalves, who handed Catamo his senior debut for Mozambique. He spoke glowingly about the player’s progress.
_“Geny is not a natural goalscorer, but he scores important goals. Playing on the right, he’s strong cutting inside with his left foot. With more minutes, he’ll score even more,”_ he told his press office.
He then added: _“Geny can go far. I believe the Premier League is made for him. He’s an intelligent, technical and explosive player, with all the qualities to succeed in the best league in the world.”_
With Champions League performances like this one, that prediction may not take long to materialise. Though Aston Villa, who passed on him for €5-10m less a few months ago, might have to think twice before hesitating again.