Sporting CP has locked down one of its most valuable players. Pedro Gonçalves, widely known as Pote, just signed a new deal that will keep him with the Lisbon giants until 2030. The papers are already signed, sealing an agreement that the club expects to make official any moment now. This extension adds three more seasons to his current contract, which was set to expire in 2027.
Talks about extending Pote’s stay began last season. Discussions gained some traction during the off-season. However, Sporting waited until after the summer transfer window closed before pushing forward. There was a good reason for this cautious approach. The creative midfielder had drawn significant interest from top clubs across Europe.
Teams like Aston Villa had been watching Pote closely since 2021. Others, including Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United, were also reportedly ready to make a move. Yet, Sporting’s message was clear. They considered Pote, who proudly wears jersey number 8, an indispensable part of their squad. He would only leave Alvalade if an offer came close to his hefty €80 million release clause.
Since no club presented an offer of that magnitude, formal negotiations between Sporting and Pote began after the transfer window shut. The process was surprisingly quick. In less than a month, a deal was struck. This rapid agreement shows the commitment from both sides.
The new contract not only extends Pote’s tenure but also gives the 27-year-old a significant raise. He will now become one of Sporting’s highest-paid professional football players. As reported by Record on September 12, his salary will jump to between €2 million and €3 million annually. Crucially, his release clause will remain fixed at €80 million, ensuring his high value.
Pote first joined Sporting in 2020, coming from Famalicão. Sporting initially paid €6.5 million for 50% of his economic rights. Then, in June 2023, just months before his previous contract extension (to 2027), Sporting invested another €7.7 million. This second payment bought them an additional 40% of his rights from Famalicão. In total, Sporting has invested €14.2 million in the player.
Now in his sixth season with the club, Pote has already played over 200 matches, reaching 209 appearances. He is also closing in on 100 goals for Sporting, currently sitting at 87. Beyond scoring, he has also provided 52 assists, showing his all-around contribution to the team.
Pote’s long and successful run at Sporting places him in an exclusive club. By May 2025, he will be among a select group of seven players to have won three league titles with the green and white shirt. These titles include the 2020/21, 2023/24, and 2024/25 seasons. His fellow three-time champions are Nuno Santos, Gonçalo Inácio, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis, Eduardo Quaresma, and Dário Essugo. Pote’s trophy cabinet also boasts a Portuguese Cup (2024/25), a Super Cup (2021), and two League Cups (2020/21 and 2021/22).