After sealing the signing of Andres Garcia from Levante, Aston Villa continues its transfer spree as they battle Wolverhampton Wanderers for the signature of Sporting winger Geny Catamo.
This move signals a further push by the Midlands club to bolster their squad as they gear up for the latter stages of the season.
Aston Villa’s Transfer Activity
Unai Emery’s side has been highly active in the transfer window, already welcoming Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and promising right-back Andres Garcia from Levante. Malen is expected to strengthen Villa’s attacking options, while Garcia will compete with Matty Cash for the starting right-back position, potentially pushing the Polish international to the bench.
Despite these additions, Villa is not finished yet. Their efforts to sign Sevilla defender Loic Bade as a replacement for Diego Carlos demonstrate a clear ambition to maintain Champions League-level quality throughout their squad.
Interest in Geny Catamo
Reports from O Jogo via Sport Witness indicate that Villa and NSWE (Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens) are now keen on bringing in 23-year-old winger Geny Catamo. Wolves and Fulham are also reportedly tracking the Sporting talent, creating a competitive race for his signature.
Catamo, currently earning £13,000 per week, has caught the eye with his performances in Portugal this season, recording four goals and four assists. Despite his young age, he’s shown enough promise to draw interest from Premier League clubs.
Potential Selection Challenges
While competition for places can drive standards, signing Catamo may present Emery with a familiar selection dilemma. A similar scenario unfolded with Jaden Philogene, who returned to Villa Park last summer but struggled for game time amidst the squad’s growing depth and quality.
With Donyell Malen’s arrival adding another layer of competition, Catamo could face limited opportunities in Emery’s stacked lineup. At 23, regular playing time is crucial for the Sporting winger’s development. Villa’s inability to guarantee minutes could make Catamo reconsider a move to Villa Park.
What’s Next for Catamo?
Catamo faces a pivotal career decision. Staying at Sporting could provide more consistent game time to further develop his potential, while a move to the Premier League could offer the lure of top-flight competition but at the risk of limited opportunities.
Villa Park may be a tempting destination given the club’s ambition and upward trajectory under Emery. However, unless the winger is guaranteed significant game time, a move to another club, such as Wolves or Fulham, might better suit his development at this stage of his career.
Villa will need to make a compelling case to secure the young talent amidst competition from their Premier League rivals. Time will tell if Catamo sees his future in claret and blue.