9 August 2007, by Joao Pedro

Lucho Gonzalez finally sold to... FC Porto

Club slaps 40 million euro price-tag on Quaresma

FC Porto have attempted to secure their two star players. The Portuguese champions yesterday purchased the remaining 50% of the sporting rights of their Argentinian midfielder Lucho Gonzalez, and have slapped an incredible 40m euro asking price on winger Ricardo Quaresma.

The club paid Global Soccer Agencies 6.65m euros for Gonzalez having bought the initial 50% for approximately half that sum two seasons ago. The overall price paid for the classy player now exceeds 10m euros - the highest ever transfer fee paid by Porto.

The financial operation was announced by the club yesterday and suggests one of two scenarios.

Either the club are preparing to cash in on the Argentina international who has been heavily linked with moves to Valencia, Real Madrid, Lyon and Everton in recent weeks, or the Dragons are determined to secure their captain who has been an inspiration behind two successive championships triumphs.

The player himself insists he his happy to remain at Porto, having signed a contract extension midway through last season, while coach Jesualdo Ferreira said he does not expect to lose any more of his top players following the multi-million euro sales of Anderson to Manchester United and Pepe to Real Madrid.

Porto have also raised the asking price for Ricardo Quaresma to a staggering 40 million euros according to the Spanish press, who claim Real Madrid were told only that sum would persuade Porto to part company with the talented winger.


Related: Lucho Gonzalez targeted by Valencia
Related: Real Madrid set sights on Lucho Gonzalez
Related: Lucho Gonzalez PortuGOAL profile
Related: Ricardo Quaresma PortuGOAL profile