André Villas-Boas has ordered the suspension of current cases, namely those of Diogo Costa and Gonçalo Borges, in order to be able to count on the players for the Super Cup final against Sporting, as Correio da Mañão learned next Saturday.
The president of FC Porto is aiming to build a better team and win the first trophy of the season, which could give a new impetus to the team and fans, given the financial difficulties the club is going through.
Villas-Boas wants the players to focus on the Super Cup rather than on the offers that may come their way. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa is one of those leaving. He has a €75 million release clause and left the European Championship on good terms. In addition to several English clubs recommending him, recent interest from Saudi Arabia has raised concerns. A deal and financial arrangements need to be made, but the aim is for this to happen only after the decisive game. The Saudi investment fund is monitoring the Portuguese goalkeeper and the truth is that the release clause is not a concern.
The offer made in Dragao for Gonçal Borges, a 23-year-old striker, has also been postponed until Saturday. French club Strasbourg has increased its offer from five to eight million euros, but Villas-Boas wants a sum higher than 10 million euros, more goals and maintaining the percentage of passes. The Portuguese has distinguished himself this pre-season, scoring four goals and making two assists in seven matches. Records that have not gone unnoticed by the BluCo consortium, owned by the owners of Chelsea, which has invested in Strasbourg. The goal is for Borges to develop in France and strengthen the Blues in the coming years. “The beginning of a beautiful journey, we will all be very happy together. Dream with us, fight with us. That the future will be bright and victorious. We are all united,” Borges wrote on social media.
The Spaniards single out Nico Gonzalez
The two goals scored by Nico González against Al-Nassr (4-0) in Porto’s presentation to its players did not go unnoticed in Spain, according to the newspaper Mundo Deportivo. Nico, a former Barcelona player, had a very good pre-season with the Dragons under Vitor Bruno, scoring four goals in eight games played.
That Monday was also the day Estaquio, a midfielder who played for Canada in the America’s Cup (finished fourth), joined the team’s collective training. He should be among the coach’s options for the Super Bowl.
Author: Mario Figueiredo
Source: CM Jornal
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