---
title: "Real Madrid join transfer race for reported Liverpool target Pedro Gonçalves"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/real-madrid-join-liverpool-in-pursuit-of-pedro-goncalves/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-02-04T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-04T07:00:00Z"
---

# Real Madrid join transfer race for reported Liverpool target Pedro Gonçalves

La Liga champions Real Madrid have joined the race to sign reported [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/03/liverpool-failed-in-divock-origi-swap-deal-for-sven-botman/) target Pedro Gonçalves, according to Portuguese publication [Defensa Central](https://www.defensacentral.com/real_madrid/1612014829-exclusiva-dc-el-madrid-esta-siguiendo-muy-de-cerca-a-pedro-delantero-del-sporting-de-portugal).

The Reds were [linked with the youngster](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/sporting-afasta-tubaroes-de-pote?ref=Pesquisa_Destaques) nicknamed ‘Pote’ last week and could now face competition from Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Gonçalves has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 18 months after being [released by Premier League side Wolves](https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20190702-double-departure-from-wolves-academy/) before being [signed by Portuguese Primeira Liga club](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pedro-goncalves/transfers/spieler/426620) Famalicão.

The 22-year-old has already [drawn predictable parallels](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/wolves-pedro-goncalves-manchester-united-19561043) to Manchester United star [Bruno Fernandes](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/01/16/bruno-fernandes-takes-swipe-at-jurgen-klopp-ahead-of-liverpool-clash/) as a goalscoring midfielder from Sporting Lisbon.

Gonçalves leads the way in the [scoring charts](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/portuguese-primeira-liga/top-scorers) in the Portuguese top flight, five goals ahead of his nearest challenger, and could be facing a decision regarding his future should his [fine form](https://www.sofascore.com/player/pedro-goncalves/895764) continue until the summer.

Having lost Fernandes to England last January, Sporting have imparted a [£53m release clause](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/pote-seguro-em-janeiro-medio-ofensivo-do-sporting-tem-clubes-de-topo-a-espreita?ref=Sporting_DestaquesPrincipais) on a player who they fear could be of strong interest to Europe’s elite clubs.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Doing battle with Real Madrid for some of [Europe’s most prestigious talent](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/european-golden-boy-2020-the-top-rising-stars-on-shortlist-rated-ahead-of-the-award-announcement_sto7990129/story.shtml)could be seen as a strong indicator that the Liverpool truly are back at the top table when it comes to transfers.

With [Jurgen Klopp leading the fight](https://talksport.com/football/826138/jurgen-klopp-mbappe-psg-liverpool-real-madrid/) with Los Blancos for Kylian Mbappe, who’s to say the German won’t go toe-to-toe with the once [almost untouchable Galacticio collectors](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/what-galactico-ronaldo-beckham-all-real-madrids-super/1lrrb6x9j0n9f1actzefqw47am)for Gonçalves.

Albeit a different type of player to Georginio Wijnaldum, there could soon be space available in the Anfield midfield ranks with the [almost untouchable Galacticio collectors](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/what-galactico-ronaldo-beckham-all-real-madrids-super/1lrrb6x9j0n9f1actzefqw47am) looking more doubtful than ever.