Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle have all been linked with William Gomes in recent weeks. However, the latest information from Portugal suggests the Premier League trio may have to wait.
The Porto winger has emerged as one of the club’s most sought-after assets following a title-winning campaign. He is attracting attention from England, Spain and Italy.
Yet while transfer speculation continues to build around him, the strongest indications from Portugal point towards player and club sharing the same objective.
For now, that objective is staying together.
Champions League dream taking priority
According to A Bola, William Gomes remains fully focused on Porto despite being linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Atlético Madrid and Roma.
The report explains that while the Brazilian naturally hopes to eventually test himself in one of Europe’s biggest leagues, his immediate ambition is far simpler. He wants to play Champions League football with Porto.
That opportunity is now within reach after the club’s league title success. In fact, it is described as a major motivation for the 20-year-old heading into the new campaign.
The newspaper also reports that no concrete approach or official offer has yet arrived at Porto. This is despite the growing number of clubs credited with interest over recent weeks.
Farioli sees winger as key figure
Porto’s stance appears to mirror that of the player. A Bola states that Francesco Farioli considers William Gomes a key figure in the club’s long-term plans. He is also seen as an important part of the strategic core of his squad.
The coach reportedly believes the Brazilian still has significant room for improvement and could reach an even higher level with another season of development.
That confidence helps explain why Porto are approaching the situation calmly despite mounting interest from abroad.
The expectation remains that clubs across Europe will become more active once the Club World Cup comes to an end. However, Porto are not showing signs of preparing for an immediate departure.
Actions matching the words
One detail highlighted by A Bola offers further insight into William Gomes’ current mindset.
The winger is spending his holidays at his hometown in Brazil, but is said to be following Porto’s physical preparation programme rigorously.
The report notes he has been sharing videos of those workouts. He is also maintaining the schedule provided by the club before the summer break. It sure reinforces the picture of a player concentrating on next season rather than actively pushing for a transfer.
There is also an update regarding Porto’s ownership of his rights. While recent reports suggested the Portuguese side could look to acquire the remaining 20% of William Gomes’ economic rights from Brazilian side São Paulo, A Bola says that possibility is not currently being considered.
It remains an option for the future, particularly if a major offer arrives, but it is not an active discussion at this stage.