European giants Manchester United and Real Madrid are both reportedly interested in Sporting CP wonderkid Gelson Martins.
Portuguese newspaper Record have claimed that Manchester United and Real Madrid are both interested in Sporting CP’s next wing prodigy Gelson Martins. The 21-year-old broke into the first team at Sporting last year making 29 league appearances while also featuring regularly for the club in cup competitions last season.
The Cape Verde-born youngster has started this season with a bang, boasting a record of 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 league matches thus far. He also impressed in Sporting CP’s Champions League group stage match against Real Madrid away at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid’s hierarchy seems to have taken a liking to the 21-year-old after his performance against Los Blancos in that match and are keeping a keen eye on the player’s progress. However, Record have reported that they are not the only club interested in the player, with former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho also keen to bring the winger to his current club, Manchester United.
Gelson, despite being born in Cape Verde, has been capped by Portugal up to the U21 level. The youngster is a natural on the right side of the pitch but is equally adept at playing on the left wing and through the middle. The player is lauded for his pace and ability to take players on while also being a potent threat from long-range.
Manchester United does have a historical connection with Portugal’s clubs with respect to transfers for young players. The Red Devils secured the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Bebe and Anderson to name a few, with Ronaldo going on to become one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Gelson is currently under contract with Sporting CP until 2021 and the club reportedly does not have an intention of entertaining bids for the player at the moment. Record, though, have stated that the player’s contract includes a minimum release clause of €60m, a figure which is likely to jump to €80m with a new deal that is reported to be in the pipeline.
United have already inflicted a defeat on Real Madrid in the transfer market by signing Paul Pogba and Los Blancos president Florentino Perez would be determined to get one over the Red Devils as Jose Mourinho looks set to go head-to-head with his former club for Sporting CP’s next young attacking sensation.
