Aston Villa will need to shell out £34 million for Portuguese winger

Aston Villa are firmly in the race to sign Sporting CP's dazzling forward, Pedro Goncalves, but they'll face stiff competition. The Villans, along with rivals West Ham United, have reportedly been informed they must stump up at least £34 million (€40 million) to secure the Portuguese star.

This development comes from a report by Portuguese outlet A Bola, indicating Sporting CP's firm stance on the valuation of their star player who has a release clause of £68 million (€80 million) in his contract.

Goncalves has been blazing a trail in Portuguese football since his 2020 move from Famalicao. The 25-year-old attacker has stepped into the sizable shoes left behind by Bruno Fernandes, rapidly becoming a talisman for the Lisbon side.

His contributions speak for themselves – this season alone he's racked up an impressive 16 goals and 14 assists in just 40 appearances. Naturally, those performances have put him on the radar of the Portuguese national team, solidifying his growing reputation.

Aston Villa's desire to add Goncalves to their ranks is understandable. Their forwards have been a mixed bag this season, with new arrivals failing to live up to expectations. Goncalves would provide proven firepower and tactical flexibility, comfortable anywhere across the front line or even a more central role.

Of course, this kind of ambition comes with a hefty price tag. Aston Villa's recent financial woes, a record £120 million loss for last season, complicate the picture, despite record revenues. However, their return to Europe and strong league form under Unai Emery show the hunger is there. More tantalisingly, Champions League qualification would massively boost income, making a splash for Goncalves more realistic.

With his goalscoring ability, tactical nous, and striking similarity to Bruno Fernandes, there's no doubt Goncalves could light up the Premier League.

Aston Villa's pursuit of Pedro Goncalves signals a desire to make a big statement ahead of the 2024/25 season. While finances are a concern, the club's ambition and potential European riches could open the door to a deal. Goncalves' talent and proven record suggest he's worth the risk in Villa's quest to cement their place among the Premier League's elite.