Gelson Martins is reportedly set to agree a new deal to extend his stay at Sporting CP, despite interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Spanish publication Sport have reported that Gelson Martins could be set to put to rest all speculation linking him to a move away from Sporting CP. The player has been courted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United but it looks like they will have to wait with the player set to renew his Sporting CP contract.
Gelson Martins has absolutely lit up the Liga NOS with some brilliant performances for Sporting CP. Progressing through the ranks at Sporting before making the grade in the first-team, the 21-year-old has recorded staggering numbers in the league, with 4 goals and 9 assists in 19 matches.
And his performances have certainly not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona and Real Madrid taking note of the Portuguese’s talent, especially after his Champions League performance against Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But as is the case with every wing talent to emerge at Sporting CP, Manchester United were also linked with a move for the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for Memphis Depay, who has secured a move to Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyonnais.
With all the interest emerging from such top clubs, Sporting CP moved to agree a new improved deal for Martins in order to fend off he suitors. But, the 21-year-old was supposedly asking to become one of the best paid players at the club.
The player has become a key component in Jorge Jesus’ first-team plans at Sporting CP and the interest from the top European clubs seemed to have forced Sporting’s hand, who have now agreed to offer a bumper pay-rise in the new contract.
Gelson’s current deal is set to run till 2021 but the extension will see his contract extended to 2022. Any further details of the contract is yet to be revealed and the official confirmation of the extension is still to arrive.
It seems like Gelson will stay put at Sporting CP for at least the first half of 2017. But, with widespread interest in the player and a potential vacancy in the ranks at Manchester United, the Red Devils may move for the 21-year-old in the summer. And the others may follow suit.
