Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Porto winger William Gomes, but any deal for the Brazilian this summer looks far from simple.
The 20-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs, including Roma, Atlético Madrid and Newcastle, after an impressive rise in Portugal, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
Chelsea have also been mentioned among the Premier League sides tracking him.
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However, Porto are not desperate to sell and are expected to demand a major offer before even considering talks.
Gomes’ contract includes an €80 million release clause, while São Paulo still hold 20% of his economic rights, which makes Porto’s negotiating position even more cautious.
Man United are closely watching the Brazilian winger
From a Man United point of view, the interest is understandable.
Michael Carrick’s squad needs more attacking quality, especially players who can beat defenders and add unpredictability in wide areas.
Reports in England have claimed United have sent an official to Portugal to discuss Gomes’ situation, although there is no formal bid yet.
The issue for United is price. Porto are believed to value Gomes very highly, and while they may not insist on the full €80 million clause, reports suggest they are unlikely to negotiate below a serious figure.
OneFootball previously reported that Porto had set a price in the €60m-€70m region amid English interest, which shows how difficult this operation could become.
Arsenal’s interest also makes sense, but from a slightly different angle.
Mikel Arteta’s side are already Premier League champions and are looking to add young, high-upside attackers who can develop within a winning squad.
Gomes would not necessarily arrive as an instant starter, but he could be viewed as a long-term investment.
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Atlético Madrid could be one to watch too. They have followed Gomes for some time, and their situation with Porto over the pending Samu Aghehowa payment may add another layer to any discussions.
Still, Porto’s stance remains clear: they would prefer to keep Gomes for at least another season and let his value rise further.
Gomes is exactly the type of player United and Arsenal should scout seriously, but not overpay for.
He is exciting, direct and clearly highly rated, but €80 million for a 20-year-old winger is a huge gamble.
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