Aston Villa have remained in the race for Geny Catamo ahead of the 2026/27 season, though the Sporting CP winger’s price tag has jumped significantly following a breakout year in Lisbon. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the situation has now shifted dramatically, with Como emerging as the most aggressive suitor and Sporting holding firm close to his full release clause figure.
Aston Villa face a steep climb as Catamo’s value rockets at Sporting CP
Como, led by Cesc Fàbregas, have already had a €25m bid rejected by Sporting, but the Italians have returned with improved numbers, sending negotiations into what A Bola describes as an unpredictable phase. Sporting recently handed Catamo a new deal until 2029, nearly doubling his pay, which gives the Portuguese club significant control this summer. Everton, Fulham, and Lyon have joined the race alongside Villa, making this one of the busier transfer battles for a winger this window.
The 25-year-old Mozambique international has grown steadily each season since breaking through under Rúben Amorim. He has bagged eight goals and four assists across 41 games this term, starting 33 of them, and has become one of the most reliable wide attackers in Portuguese football, drawing double-teams from opponents while only growing more influential. His performance in Sporting’s famous 2-1 win over PSG stood out internally as one of his biggest showings, despite Luis Suárez taking the headlines with two goals.
Aston Villa now stare down a £51m release clause reality
Both Villa and Fenerbahçe saw €20m offers rejected last year, and since then, Sporting have tied Catamo down until 2029 with a €60m release clause, a figure they are now pushing close to in negotiations. Como’s financial muscle, backed by the Hartono family’s enormous wealth, makes them a genuine threat to sign him this summer.
What should the Birmingham club do now?
Villa knew about Catamo before anyone else was really paying attention, and that early conviction means something. But the market has moved far beyond what Unai Emery’s side were ever prepared to spend on him. Paying close to €60m for a winger with questions about his consistency in European football is a gamble that does not fit Villa’s careful approach to transfer business.
Emery should draw a line. Aston Villa have Champions League football next season and genuinely need width, but spending the majority of a summer budget on one player who sometimes goes quiet under pressure would leave the rest of the squad dangerously thin.
The smarter move is to let Como overpay, monitor the situation through August, and redirect funds toward someone more proven at the highest level. Villa identified Catamo first, but being first does not mean being obligated. Sometimes walking away is the best piece of business a club can do.
