Portuguese Media: Goncalves Outperforming Kunda at Same Age, Sporting CP Plan Renewal with €100 Million Release Clause

Another Sporting CP academy prospect is rapidly emerging. The 19-year-old left winger Flavio Goncalves has broken out this season, and according to comparison data from Portuguese media outlet A BOLA, his early-season performances have even surpassed those of Geovany Quenda, who now plays for Chelsea, at the same stage of his career.

In the first five rounds of the Primeira Liga this season, Flavio Goncalves has started every match, playing a total of 349 minutes and recording 3 goals and 1 assist. His goal tally is second only to Luis Suarez's 4 goals within the team, making him the biggest surprise of the new season.

The reason he earned a consistent starting role was the departure of starting winger Pedro Goncalves to Fiorentina near the end of the summer transfer window, which left a gap on the attacking flank. The 19-year-old Flavio Goncalves seized the opportunity, beating out players such as Jese Dir and Ilan Kunda in internal competition to secure the starting left-wing position and begin his breakout season.

The media compared him with his former teammate Quenda: Quenda also started five consecutive matches at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, when he was 17 years old and recorded 1 goal and 0 assists in 443 minutes. Although Flavio Goncalves has played fewer total minutes, his goal and assist output is clearly higher. However, the schedule two years ago was more difficult, as Sporting CP had to face strong opponents such as Porto, while Sporting CP have remained unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw after the first five rounds this season.

Quenda was later taken by Chelsea for a transfer fee of around €50 million due to his impressive performances, bringing Sporting CP significant transfer revenue. The club now hopes to replicate its protection strategy for Quenda and firmly secure Flavio Goncalves.

Flavio Goncalves' current contract runs until 2030. Sporting CP are preparing to complete a renewal and salary increase with him, with plans to raise the player's release clause to €100 million in order to fend off interest from European giants. Transfermarkt currently values him at only €2.2 million, creating a huge contrast with the potential €100 million release clause.

The youngster born in 2007 is already regarded as another Sporting CP academy gem waiting to be polished. Whether he follows Quenda's path to joining major clubs in Europe's top five leagues or continues developing in Lisbon has also become a focus of attention in Portuguese football.