Wolves: £50.4m duo 'identified' as Molineux targets amid fears of big-name exits

Wolverhampton Wanderers could swoop for Sporting duo Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes because of continued fears that Ruben Neves may leave Molineux in the summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Neves made a then-club record move to Wolves for £15.8million close to five years ago, but there are question marks as to whether the former Porto man will still be in the West Midlands by the time next season gets underway.

According to The Athletic, Palhinha and Nunes have been added to Wolves head coach Bruno Lage’s shortlist of summer targets.

The report suggests the Molineux-based outfit have set their sights on signing two central midfielders in the upcoming transfer window and Lage, who was handed the managerial reins last June, has informed chairman Jeff Shi and the recruitment team of the profile of players he wants to acquire.

Palhinha, a 12-cap Portugal international who is valued at £23.4million by Transfermarkt, is more of a defensive-minded midfielder and won the Primeira Liga title with Sporting last season.

The 26-year-old was recently described as ‘special’ by Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim, so his current employers would fight to keep him in Lisbon.

Nunes, a £27million-rated Portugal international, has registered eight goal contributions this season.

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Jones believes Wolves are only targeting Palhinha and Nunes, 23, due to fears that Neves will leave the club at the end of the campaign.

The transfer insider feels Lage is putting plans in place in case big-name stars depart Molineux.

When asked whether rumours of Neves’ potential exit may be the reason for Lage chasing Palhinha and Nunes, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think that’s why