Sunderland's Patient Pursuit of Geny Catamo
Sunderland are willing to show patience and wait for the opportunity to sign Geny Catamo from Sporting Club de Portugal. The Black Cats have been chasing Catamo for weeks and stepped up their interest over the course of this week.
What happened?
O Jogo cover the winger today in their print edition and explain that Sunderland will wait until the final week of the window for developments around the 25-year-old. The Black Cats have been chasing Catamo for weeks and stepped up their interest over the course of this week. Sport Witness covered reports from Portugal explaining how Sporting had rejected several bids.
Why it matters for Sunderland
Sunderland aren't giving up and are 'going all-in' on signing the Mozambican international. They believe, though, that the process requires a true test of patience. They have taken their time with signings this summer - with just one so far - and are prepared to wait for Catamo.
What comes next?
Regis Le Bris hinted yesterday that there is a clear plan at the Stadium of Light. "We have a very clear idea of what we are looking for," he said. "It is difficult because the market is tough, but at the same time, we remain patient, calm, and organised. I trust the club and the process. If we haven’t secured reinforcements earlier, it’s because it wasn’t possible until now. Some clubs have overpaid for players, and that doesn’t help. If a club, for example, pays €50m for a player worth €20m, then future transfers tend to align with that figure. So, this situation will likely continue right up to the final week."
A similar idea of patience will be applied to the deal for Geny Catamo. Sporting want at least €40m in guaranteed fees. Sunderland have vowed not to give up. They’re boosted by the fact Catamo wants the move. He wants to play in the Premier League and earn the high salary offered by Sunderland too.
Sporting unconvinced
A Bola focus on that aspect in their coverage of the Sporting winger in today’s edition. The newspaper reports that Sunderland have offered Geny Catamo a €15m deal. That’s €3m a year for four years, plus the option of another. The offer is highly tempting for the Sporting winger, who earns considerably less at the Portuguese club despite being considered a key player.
Sunderland have had no issue convincing the 25-year-old on the move. It is convincing Sporting that is the issue. A Bola state that it is unlikely Sunderland reach a fixed fee of €40m. And even if they do, it may still be rejected by the Portuguese side. They are determined to keep him ‘at all costs’ and certainly don’t want to do business late in the window. They believe that would leave them with little time to find an adequate replacement.
Sunderland’s next bid is likely to get close to that €40m mark but will be made up of ‘highly achievable performance variables’ rather than a fixed fee. That will be insufficient for Sporting. They’re currently holding out for more and not particularly interested in a deal anyway. Making life easy for Sunderland is not on their agenda.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 11th in Premier League, 46 pts, 12W-10D-11L from 33 games, recent form LWWLW.
Sunderland are currently 11th in the Premier League, with 46 points from 33 games, and a recent form of LWWLW. They have scored 36 goals and conceded 40, with a goal difference of -4. Their next fixture is against Everton at home on 20 February 2027.
