31 May 2007, by Marco Pereira

Leiria’s Gomes wants Belenenses move

Fernando and Marcos Antonio to stay says president

Leiria midfielder Paulo Gomes looks set to switch allegiances next season as he has his hopes set on playing for Portuguese Cup finalists, Belenenses.

The player is out of a contract with the Leiria come July and despite receiving offers to renew with the club, Gomes has other ideas. The midfielder confessed that his agent is currently engaged in negotiations with the Blues over a contract.

“The deal is in the hands of my agent, Paulo Emanuel Mendes. I know that he has met with Belenenses. I know there will be a new meeting in the coming days as Belenenses did not want to negotiate before the final of the Portuguese Cup.”

In other club news Leiria have stated that goalkeeper, Fernando, is non-negotiable. The club do not want to lose any more of their key players for next season and are counting on their man between the posts to lead them to a European spot next season.

Leiria narrowly missed out on securing a Uefa Cup berth on the last day of the season as they drew against Estrela da Amadora, allowing Pacos de Ferreira to snatch the final spot. Therefore, the club will have to settle for participating in the Intertoto Cup.

Another player the club are hoping to keep is defender, Marcos Antonio. The player’s performances have raised a lot of eyebrows across the Liga this season and he was tipped on making a move to one of the country’s bigger clubs.

Leiria president Joao Bartolomeu admitted that there are three clubs interested and that the only way they’ll acquire the centre-back is if they pay his buy-out clause of two million euros.