Sunderland's pursuit of Geny Catamo did not end in the summer, and Sporting CP may also have to plan around Nestory Irankunda's Asian Cup call-up from 7 January to 5 February 2027. The result is a January window that could be shaped as much by who leaves as by who arrives.
Sunderland's bid for Catamo
A Bola reported that Sunderland's first move for Catamo was €30 million plus €10 million tied to objectives. Sporting wanted €40 million in fixed value before opening the door to a sale, and the outlet added that the fixed fee was not enough for the green and whites to accept negotiating.
The English club later improved its offer to about €33 million, but Sporting still held firm. Catamo is also protected by a €60 million release clause and a contract that was automatically renewed until June 2029, which gives Sporting plenty of room to resist another approach.
Irankunda's absence and Sporting's depth
Irankunda has only 6 Primeira Liga appearances, so Sporting could lose a rotation option at a point when wing depth already looks tight. A Bola said his absence, linked to a possible move by Sunderland for Catamo, could make Sporting think about strengthening the attack in the market.
Catamo's own output helps explain why he remains difficult to move. He has made 8 appearances in all competitions this season and produced 4 goal contributions, while Sporting also spent €2.25 million in summer 2025 to recover 90% of his transfer rights. Sunderland may come back in January, but Sporting's stance has already been clear enough to set the price bar high.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
