(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 17 May 2026 18:30, UK

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Aston Villa have surely just seen the door open for them to prise winger Pedro Goncalves away from Sporting CP this summer.

The 27-year-old has been on the radar at Villa Park for several years now, and they may finally get the chance to secure his signature ahead of next season.

Goncalves has struck 13 goals and eight assists for Sporting in the Liga Portugal so far this term, with that goal tally representing his strongest return since the 2022-23 campaign.

However, the Portuguese giants are seemingly willing to part company with the wideman this summer, a stance which is set to play directly into the hands of Unai Emery and Co.

Aston Villa need to strengthen their group after they secured their qualification for the Champions League on Friday, and Goncalves is a player who is firmly on their radar as an option.

Sporting ready to entertain Pedro Goncalves offers

Villa have been consistently linked with a move for Goncalves in recent years, and he has been a key part of the Sporting side that sprung a surprise by reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season.

According to Portuguese outlet Jornal de Noticias, the Villans are set to battle Liverpool for his signature this summer, as they try to finally land a deal for the star.

They are not set to face any resistance from Sporting, who are understood to be willing to accept any “interesting” offers for the forward that come their way in the summer.

Boss Rui Borges is also said to be accepting of the fact that “the time has come” for Goncalves to be allowed to explore a new challenge, after several impressive years in Lisbon.

The stance from the Portuguese capital club is sure to have Villa on red alert, as it has now presented them with the perfect chance to seal a deal for him.

Emery’s men also have the carrot of Champions League football to use to tempt the player, which could be a crucial factor in several of their transfer pursuits this summer.

Aston Villa could have attacker transfer done by July

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Aston Villa could land Matias Soule before July, with Roma potentially needing to sell the Argentine forward.

The Italian giants are facing a need to offload players to fall in line with the Serie A’s financial fair play restrictions, with the cut-off for those restrictions set at the end of June.

Villa are racing the likes of Bournemouth and Borussia Dortmund to sign the attacking midfielder, who has dazzled for Roma at times this term.

Soule and Goncalves are both part of an effort from the Villans to strengthen their attacking options, with Emery keen to ensure the team can compete on all fronts in 2026-27.