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Manchester United make informal enquiry about Sporting Lisbon’s Star Pedro Goncalves

The Red Devils could be lining up an option to Jadon Sancho on the right hand flank.

It was widely reported that BVB winger, Sancho was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s primary transfer target last summer, but German Giants, Borussia Dortmund’s €120 million (£105m) valuation and August discussions deadline proved too expensive for Manchester United’s blood.

Manchester United signed 2 18-year-olds, Pellistri and Diallo, instead on transfer deadline day, but neither has featured for the first team yet and a more experienced, established player must still be very much on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wishlist.

One player who fits in perfectly is Sporting Lisbon Star Pedro Golçalves, aka ‘Pote’.

Sporting Lisbon signed Pote from Famalicão in the summer with part of the proceeds from the departure of Bruno Fernandes and his form for the Portugese Giants has caught the attention of a nos of teams, including Manchester United, according to Record (via Sport Witness). The outlet claims he ‘has already been informally starred by Reigning EPL Champions, Liverpool and Manchester United last month, who remain very keen’ but that ‘at the time, Sporting didn't wish to open talks.’

Pote, who operates both as a right attacker and attacking midfield maestro, has netted fourteen goals and contributed 2 assists in 15 matches for Sporting Lisbon so far this campaign. Record points out that his fourteen (14) goals came from just twenty three shots, which is a good strike rate to say the least.

The Portuguese outfit are already saying they will hold firm on Pedro Golçalves's €60 million (£52 million) buyout clause, in part because his deal includes a whopping fifty percent sell-on price to his Ex-team, That might be the deal breaker should the Red Devils wish to go ahead, although it still represents a big saving compared to Borussia Dortmund Star, Jadon Sancho, even though the latter’s valuation has now been slashed to €100 million (£88m).

A lot could also depend on how the campaign plays out in Portugal; Pote has helped Sporting Lisbon to open up a 5 point advantage at the summit of the league, with one game in hand over FC Porto. If they win the league they'll automatically qualify for the UCL, which will be a big financial boost for the Portugese outfit.

Whilst Pote signed Sporting Lisbon after Bruno Fernandes departed, Fernandes retains huge connections at Sporting and he will no doubt be influential in both evaluating the player and in discussions.

The Red Devils have enjoyed great success when shopping at Sporting, with Portugual Internationals Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcos Rojo and Luis Nani all having followed the path from Sporting Lisbon to the Threatre Of Dreams. If Pedro Golçalves continues the impressive form he is showing, it wouldn't be a surprise if Manchester United sign him.

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