Barcelona are reportedly interested in Jovane Cabral, with Sporting CP lining up a new contract for the youngster in order to increase his buyout clause.
According to Portuguese publication O Jogo, Barcelona are taking a keen interest in Jovane Cabral. The Cape Verde sensation is the latest Sporting CP youngster to emerge on the radar of European giants, with the club looking to get the player tied down to a new contract.
The reason behind Sporting CP’s desperation to renew Cabral’s deal is to increase his buyout clause to €45 million in order to protect their asset and investment. The deal will see Cabral extend his contract upto the summer of 2023.
Cabral had gone through his paces at Sporting CP itself before making it to the senior setup in the summer of 2018. But, it is the blistering start that he has had to his senior career that has drawn plaudits and attracted attention from several scouts.
The youngster has a goal and two assists to show in three league games, albeit in just 77 minutes of on-field time. Jose Peseiro has been easing the winger into the first-team but might be compelled to hand him his first senior start soon, after his exploits in cameo roles. Barcelona are also keeping a close eye on the 20-year-old.
The Catalans have Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and summer arrival Malcom as options for the wing. And while Barcelona have not been linked with anymore signings in the said area, Jovane Cabral could be one for the future. Also, Ousmane Dembele stayed put in the summer despite heavy speculation, which can return in January or perhaps the summer of 2019.
Sporting CP though, are in a mess themselves. The fan invasion on the pitch scared players, which resulted in many opting to terminate their contract and move elsewhere. Rui Patricio headlined the pack of players, with the goalkeeper joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The incident also saw Gelson Martins leave for Atletico Madrid and young Rafael Leao, who was linked to several top clubs, also move on a free transfer to LOSC Lille.
Sporting CP lost a lot in terms of potential transfer fee due to the incident, which would mean that they will not budge on their stance of clubs paying the full buyout price for their players, at least for the time being.
Jovane Cabral has benefitted from the departure of certain stars, which has seen him thrust into the first-team faster. And Sporting CP would now hope the 20-year-old commits to the new deal with the increased buyout clause, especially before any team comes swooping in, Barcelona or others.
