Gauld’s days at Sporting Lisbon may soon be up
Ryan Gauld’s time at Sporting Lisbon could be about to end, with Boavista leading the chase for the Scots star’s signature.
Gauld was named in Sporting’s first-team squad for pre-season and took part in their summer training camp in Switzerland. However, the Portuguese giants have endured a turbulent time off the field, and two managerial changes during a chaotic June look to have put Gauld’s hopes of finally nailing down a starting role in jeopardy. Sporting slapped a £50 million release clause on the former Dundee United kid after signing him in 2014.
But after just five firstteam appearances, hopes of a bumper fee appear to have been shelved.
Boavista, who finished eighth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season, could capitalise to land Gauld on a permanent deal.
Former club United inserted a sell-on clause in their deal with Sporting, but the Tangerines will not be due a penny unless the £3m fee that the Portuguese side originally handed over is matched. Now aged 22, the midfielder impressed in 18 top-flight appearances on loan at Aves last season.
He also tasted top team action with Vitoria de Setubal in 2016.
And it’s thought Gauld would be happy to remain in Portugal, where he has immersed himself in the culture.
The bad side of Portuguese football culture presented itself toward the end of last season at Sporting, when around 50 supporters swooped on the club’s training ground and attacked players and staff.
At least one player was injured – including Dutch striker Bas Dost – and a changing room was destroyed.
Nine members of the Lisbon side’s squad quit in the aftermath, including big name stars like Dost, William Carvalho, Rui Patricio and Gelson Martins. Manager Jorge Jesus also left, while outspoken club president, Bruno de Carvalho, was voted out.
But the turmoil wasn’t over, and Jesus’ replacement, Sinisa Mihajlovic, was sacked after just nine days in charge.
Jose Peseiro was then appointed – and has survived for three weeks so far – but the atmosphere at Sporting remains unsettled. Gauld burst on to the Scottish scene aged just 16 with Dundee United, where he was dubbed “Mini Messi” after a string of stellar early showings.
Blooded originally by Peter Houston, he thrived under Jackie Mcnamara, drawing admiring nods for his quick, cultured attacking play.
He scored nine goals in 49 appearances for the Tangerines before Sporting swooped, and he has picked up a total of 10 Scotland Under-21 caps.