According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Joelson Fernandes has been left out of Sporting’s matchday squad that’s going to play a part in the Lisbon derby against Benfica.
It is believed that the club’s decision to surprisingly omit the youngster has been clouted by the club’s inability to have a favourable agreement between themselves and the player regarding the discussion of his contract extension which has been stalled.
As it stands, the youngster’s release clause is currently £41million, while the Portuguese side have been so eager to increase his release clause amid Arsenal’s interest.
Arsenal are said to be one of several top clubs linked with the electrifying winger who has been dubbed the ‘next Cristiano Ronaldo’.
Despite Sporting Lisbon’s stance to retain the services of Fernandes, the wonderkid still remains unconvinced about his intention to remain with the Portuguese side and that could force Sporting into selling.
Joelson has being a regular with the club’s Under-23, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances this far, despite just clocking 17 years of age in February 2020.
Being a right footed player, Fernandes likes to predominantly play from the left side of the attack where he’s able to express himself with his pace and sublime movements coupled with his outstanding trickery capable of causing a lot problems for the defenders especially the full back.
Since the league resumed after some delay due to the pandemic crisis, the youngster has been training with the first team squad and has recent being given an opportunity on the bench during a Liga NOS game against C.D. Tondela on 18th June 2020.
Though Sporting’s reluctance to let go of the youngster doesn’t seem to slow down Arsenal’s interest, as Portuguese news channel TVI 24 claimed that the Gunners had tested Sporting’s resilience by tendering an initial £13.6million offer for the teenager.
Arsenal are known to be prudent in terms of the amount they value players to be signed; hoping their initial offer for the youngster can convince the Portuguese giant, to finally strike a deal with the Gunners, to avoid more devaluation if Fernandes still refuses to commit his future with the club.
