Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly looking to bring Sporting CP’s cultured Portuguese international Rui Patricio to the Premier League in the summer.
Portuguese publication A Bola are claiming that Sporting CP’s first-choice custodian and cultured Portuguese international Rui Patricio is attracting interest from England and France. The player is being tailed by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, while Marseille is also interested in the shot-stopper.
Rui Patricio has established himself firmly in the European footballing scene. The player has been the first-choice for the Portuguese National Team for a while now and was a key figure as his national side’s defensively solid displays earned their nation their maiden international triumph in the form of the 2016 European Championship.
His performances at the club level have been equally consistent, if not better. A part of Sporting CP since he was a 12-year-old aspirant, Patricio – now 29 – has been guarding the Lions goal at the senior level for over 10 years now.
However, despite his long association with the club, he is yet to get his hands on the league trophy, although he has earned a Portuguese Cup and Super Cup medal each during his time at Sporting CP.
Rui Patricio is one of the rare one-club men remaining in the modern-day footballing world. However, the 29-year-old could soon be on the move. Winning the European Championship heralded him into the limelight and his 12 clean sheets this season in Liga NOS has brought forth interest from England and France.
Arsenal have a Petr Cech that looks a distant shadow of his dominant self and with David Ospina all but set to leave the club in the summer, the Gunners are looking to add an experienced presence in goal.
Manchester City on the other hand are looking to find an able replacement for Claudio Bravo, who has failed to establish himself since his summer move from Barcelona. Joe Hart looks set to exit the club permanently in the summer, when his Torino loan spell comes to an end.
Marseille is also considering a move for the custodian and while the French club is not at par in terms of footballing brands to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, they will also be able to provide regular European exposure and the ability to go up against the best and up-and-coming talents of the world.
Rui Patricio is 29 now and would love to move to a league as illustrious as Premier League. Arsenal and Manchester City are both giants in the footballing world and a move to either club would be beneficial for the Portuguese at the present moment.
Also, a move to either would enable Rui Patricio to constantly go up against the best players in the world – something that is not really the case in Liga NOS. Patricio has at least 6 years of football left in him and he would love to challenge himself in the cut-throat Premier League.
His release clause stands at €45 million, a fee that may be high for a goalkeeper but considering the status of the inflated modern market, the amount sounds reasonable for an international-level goalkeeper with so much experience under his belt.
There is no doubt as to Rui Patricio’s ability and a move to the Premier League could add to his already fledgling reputation.
