news-engine

Sunderland have made a €30m (£26m) plus €10m (£8.7m) offer for Geny Catamo, but Sporting have turned it down. This is relayed in Tuesday’s print edition of Record. The Black Cats remain determined to sign the Mozambique international. They are promising to return despite this latest rejection. The package could have reached €40m (£34.7m), although its structure did little to convince Sporting. Only €1.5m (£1.3m) of the €10m (£8.7m) in bonuses was considered easily achievable. And that was one of the main problems for Frederico Varandas and his directors. So Sunderland need to try harder if they want to get this one done. Sporting want €40m guaranteed Geny Catamo remains a priority target for Sunderland, according to Record, and the Premier League side know what Sporting expect. The Lisbon club will only seriously consider negotiations from €40m (£34.7m) in guaranteed money. That leaves quite a gap between Sunderland’s €30m (£26m) fixed offer and the figure required to get Sporting properly talking. Catamo’s €60m (£52m) release clause gives the Portuguese club further protection. He also renewed his contract last season, extending it until 2029 and receiving a pay rise. Sporting have another reason to play hardball. Rui Borges has told the club’s hierarchy that he considers Catamo essential. The manager currently has few options on the right. Luís Guilherme is the main alternative, while new signing Nestory Irankunda can play across the attack. Watford’s Irankunda is due to arrive on Tuesday, but Record points out he will need time to adapt to his new surroundings. Sunderland expected to return Geny Catamo has now made 137 appearances for Sporting, scoring 21 goals and providing 15 assists. He has been a regular for almost three seasons and helped them win two league titles and the Portuguese Cup. That importance explains why Sporting have been so resistant to approaches. Tottenham and clubs from Saudi Arabia made enquiries last season, and those were also knocked back. Sunderland, though, appear willing to keep pushing. That could be significant given the reports surrounding Catamo over the past week. O Jogo said the 25-year-old was furious after Sporting blocked the possibility of a move to Sunderland. His national team manager Chiquinho Conde also publicly backed an exit, saying this was the “ideal time” for Catamo to move elsewhere. Record now makes it clear Sunderland haven’t gone away. Their first serious numbers haven’t done the trick, but the Portuguese newspaper says the Black Cats intend to come back. Sporting have effectively given them the target: €40m (£34.7m) guaranteed before negotiations become serious.