AA Gent breaks its transfer record and brings in Momodou Sonko, despite fierce competition from other (foreign) top clubs. This heavy investment, which could amount to 9 million euros, was made possible by the double sale of Malick Fofana and Gift Orban to Olympique Lyon.
Compared to Mo Salah and Antonio Nusa, Sonko promises to be a sensation with his impressive speed and technique. His potential seems limitless according to BK Häcken coach Per-Mathias Høgmo.
Momodou Sonko: AA Gent’s big stunt
Michel Louwagie has fulfilled his promise at AA Gent, and how! The Buffaloes are showing themselves to be particularly decisive at the winter mercato and have already brought in an impressive number of reinforcements.
With the arrival of Daniel Schmidt (Sint-Truiden), Daisuke Yokota (Górnik Zabrze) and Franck Surdez (Neuchâtel Xamax), the foundation was laid for a promising return round.
But it was Momodou Sonko’s sensational signing that really turned heads. AA Gent broke its incoming transfer record by paying no less than 7 million euros to BK Häcken for this promising 18-year-old attacker.
Louwagie beamed with pride when he spoke about the most expensive purchase in club history, which he himself described as a spectacular acquisition. Sonko’s transfer was by no means an easy path for Ghent, as they had to face competition from both domestic and international top clubs.
Club Brugge saw Sonko as the perfect successor for Antonio Nusa, while Anderlecht and foreign (top) clubs such as FC Barcelona, RB Leipzig, Ajax and FC Bologna also showed interest.
AA Gent wins bidding war against Club Brugge: maximum 9 million
Michel Louwagie admitted that there was immense interest in Momodou Sonko and is pleased that the Swedish striker ultimately opted for AA Gent. “It gives me great pleasure that amid all the interest from major clubs, he prefers the sporting project of KAA Gent.”
The newspapaer I thought it was remarkable that Ghent managed to attract Sonko. There was a bidding war going on between several clubs, including Club Brugge.
Ghent emerged as the winner by paying an amount of 7 to 7.5 million euros, with the possibility that this could increase to 9 million euros through bonuses.
With this, BK Häcken has achieved its goal of breaking the outgoing transfer record, which until a few days ago was still in the name of Bénie Traoré (Sheffield United, 4.6 million euros). The Swedish club was aiming for a transfer price for Sonko between 8 and 9 million euros, and that amount can be achieved with bonuses.
Momodou Sonko’s value is exploding
The signing of Momodou Sonko by AA Gent was only possible thanks to the lucrative double deal of Malick Fofana and Gift Orban to Olympique Lyon, which provided the club with significant financial resources.
Without this injection of funds, Sonko’s transfer would undoubtedly have been unfeasible for the Buffaloes. It was clear from the start that Sonko’s transfer would be a costly affair.
At the age of 18, he was already known as one of the three most valuable players in the Allsvenskan, and BK Häcken always had ambitions to break his outgoing transfer record.
“Breaking the club record can be a great goal,” Sonko said confidently a while ago. Marcus Jodin, chairman of BK Häcken, described the impending sale of the attacker as “the man of 50 million” (krona). This amounts to approximately 4.6 million euros. Ultimately, Häcken almost managed to double this amount.
Like Mo Salah and “as fast and dribbling as Antonio Nusa”
Momodou Sonko was the big star of the Allsvenskan and the Swede with Gambian roots was voted the competition’s Young Player of the Year in 2023. The Express even labeled Sonko as the new Mo Salah, not only in terms of profile but also in terms of the path he takes to the absolute top.
Just as Salah started his career at ‘small’ FC Basel, Sonko hopes to make a similar rise through BK Häcken, and his potential for further growth seems limitless.
His game is characterized by impressive speed and refined technique. “Just as fast and dribbling skills as Antonio Nusa,” wrote Het Laatste Nieuws. He delivers highlights with his dribbling, goal-oriented movements and excels with powerful goals and shots from distance.
In Sweden, they have no doubt that Sonko will succeed abroad. “I don’t see a limit for him,” said Per-Mathias Høgmo, his coach at Häcken at ‘Gothenburg Post‘ about his potential.
2024-02-01 06:30:00
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