Arsenal are considering a move to strengthen their squad with the acquisition of Geny Catamo, a young and promising right-back from Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting Lisbon's Mozambican forward #21 Geny Catamo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Portuguese league football match between Boavista FC and Sporting CP at the Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI in Porto, on October 30, 2023. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon’s Mozambican forward #21 Geny Catamo celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Portuguese league football match between Boavista FC and Sporting CP at the Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI in Porto, on October 30, 2023. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have reportedly shown interest in Geny Catamo, the Sporting Lisbon right-back, who, despite a substantial release clause of sixty million euros (€60 million), is rumoured to be on the radar for a potential move in January.

The young Mozambican defender, with 18 international caps to his name, has been starting infrequently for his current club in the league, casting doubt on an immediate first-team role should he transfer to the Premier League side.

Local media reports suggest that Catamo, 22, is also attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

However, data from SciSports indicates that Catamo might not yet be up to the mark for the Premier League, being one of the lesser-performing backs in Liga Portugal this season.

The step up to the English top-flight seems a stretch, especially given his hefty release clause.

The SciSports’ Career Advice Tool suggests a different path, proposing Feyenoord as a more suitable next step for Catamo’s development. The Dutch club appears to be a good fit for the player, with the possibility of enhancing his skills and potential in a less demanding league before considering a future Premier League challenge.

The question of affordability arises, with Catamo’s Expected Transfer Value (xTV) currently at just seven hundred thousand euros (€700,000), a figure much lower than his release clause.

Feyenoord, therefore, might find this a bargain investment, provided they act swiftly before his value escalates due to his performances and substitute appearances for Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Catamo is indicative of the club’s strategy to invest in young talent, aligning with a vision of long-term squad development.

The club’s discerning eye for potential suggests that while Catamo may not be a direct fit for the immediate rigours of the Premier League, his gradual improvement and adaptability could render him a valuable asset in the future.