Sunderland told Geny Catamo price as Sporting make transfer stance clear

Sunderland have made an initial approach for Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo, but the Portuguese champions have made it clear they are unwilling to negotiate unless his €60 million release clause is met.

The Black Cats are the latest Premier League club to express an interest in the Mozambique international, whose performances in Portugal have attracted attention from England over the past 18 months.

According to A Bola, Sunderland have been informed that Sporting will only sanction Catamo's departure if a club activates the full buyout clause written into his contract.

Catamo has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Burnley have all been credited with interest in recent transfer windows, while Sunderland have now joined the list of admirers as they continue searching for attacking reinforcements.

FootballPlace understands Aston Villa explored a deal for the 25-year-old earlier this year, when Sporting were prepared to discuss offers in the region of €30 million.

However, the Lisbon club's position has since hardened considerably.

Sporting's stance has been shaped by the prospect of several other departures before the transfer window closes.

Ousmane Diomande continues to be linked with Nottingham Forest, Pedro Gonçalves has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, while Daniel Bragança is closing in on a move to Olympiacos.

With significant changes already possible elsewhere in the squad, Sporting have decided they do not want to lose another important first-team player.

As a result, club officials have informed interested teams that Catamo will only leave if his €60m release clause is triggered.

Catamo enjoyed another impressive campaign for Sporting during the 2025/26 season.

Operating primarily from the right wing, he made 47 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

He also impressed on the European stage, finding the net in the UEFA Champions League against Marseille and registering an assist against Club Brugge.

Those performances have strengthened his reputation, even if Sporting's current valuation has surprised several interested clubs.

While Sporting's public position is clear, a transfer appears highly unlikely at the current asking price.

A €60m fee would represent double the valuation discussed only a few months ago, making it difficult to envisage Sunderland pursuing a deal on those terms.

With Catamo under contract until 2028, Sporting are under little pressure to sell immediately. However, as the transfer window develops, the Portuguese club may yet face difficult decisions if substantial offers arrive for several members..

Sunderland are expected to continue assessing alternative attacking targets while monitoring developments in Lisbon.

Unless Sporting soften their stance or another compromise can be reached, Catamo looks set to remain with the Portuguese champions for the start of the new season.