'Target for Wolves...' - Update emerges on 3.4 tackles-per-game beast who 'rules midfield'

Sporting Lisbon could be willing to sell rumoured Wolves transfer target Joao Palhinha in the January window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Wanderers have excelled in midfield this season, with Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves arguably finding some of their best form since joining the club.

That doesn’t mean reinforcements aren’t necessary though, especially with Moutinho now 35 years of age and Neves constantly linked with moves elsewhere.

Palhinha meanwhile has been linked with a switch to Molineux, and a fresh update has now emerged which brings both positives and negatives.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed Sporting could allow the 26-year-old to leave before Monday’s cutoff, but Wolves could be priced out of a move:

“Palhinha has been a long-term target for Wolves, and some of the signs we’re getting from Sporting Lisbon is that they would consider selling him before Monday’s deadline.

“£25 million has been mentioned, I think that will put him out of Wolves’ price range right now, and I think there are other bigger clubs also looking at the Portuguese international as well.”

In truth, it is extremely difficult to see Wolves signing Palhinha in the next few days, with the price tag simply too high at a point when Neves is still at the club.

Should the current Wolves star leave in the summer, however, and the Sporting man still be available, he could be a fantastic addition, with a recent report claiming he ‘rules midfield’.

Not only has Palhinha scored three Primeira Liga goals this season – Moutinho and Neves have four Premier League strikes between them – but he has also averaged 3.4 tackles per game, showing that he is a force both on and off the ball.

In other news, Tim Spiers has provided a key