Lage makes specific request to Wolves involving 'outstanding' 23-assist star; Mourinho wants him

Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), has provided an update on the future of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Moutinho. 

Signed in 2018 from Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco for £5million on an initial two-year contract (BBC), Moutinho has been a superb servant to the club since his arrival.

Moutinho has amassed 176 appearances for Wolves, scoring five times and providing 23 assists taking an illustrious career to a mammoth 774 outings across spells with FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Monaco and the Molineux club.

Out of contract in a matter of weeks (Transfermarkt), the future of the 35-year-old needs urgent attention and Bruno Lage has seemingly made his own wishes known…

As per Jornal de Noticias, translated by SW, Lage is believed to have ‘asked for the player’ to be offered a new deal to stay in the Midlands.

However, Wolves may have already ‘set other priorities’ for the midfield department as the club prepare for a potential major overhaul with interest in Ruben Neves ramping up all the time.

The report states that Moutinho – who was praised for an ‘outstanding’ display against Brentford by Alan Shearer after a stunning goal and assist – could be willing to ’embrace a new challenge’ as Roma manager and compatriot Jose Mourinho watches on with interest from Italy.

Despite the Portuguese international’s advancing years, an impressive 6.96 average rating from 35 Premier League outings in 2021/22 and standout showings are proof enough of continued longevity and ability to perform at the very highest level.

With the futures of Neves and Leander Dendoncker in doubt, it comes as little surprise that Lage would want to keep Moutinho in situ in order to maintain some midfield stability ahead of next