Wolves: Lage could now sign £22.5m long-term target at Molineux

Wolves could finally sign Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The Midlands outfit have been chasing the £22.5m-rated ace for a number of years, but Crook reckons that Bruno Lage could finally get his man.

Wolves have been interested in the midfielder for almost three years, but with Ruben Neves possibly on his way out of Molineux this summer, their need for his services are arguably greater than ever.

According to The Sun, Wolves were ‘close’ to completing the signing of Palhinha earlier this month, although they now face competition from some of their Premier League rivals.

Tottenham have already been linked this window, while newly-promoted Fulham are hoping to mark their return to the top-flight by hijacking Palhinha’s deal to Molineux, with the Cottagers ready to make their own offer for his services.

Despite Fulham’s attempts, Crook has been reliably informed by someone at Wolves that Palhinha remains very much on their radar.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They get linked with Palhinha every summer and in the past it’s always been shot down, but when his name came up again, my contact close to the club was a bit warmer about it, so that is a goer this summer, where I don’t think it has been in the past.”

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Sporting Lisbon were unable to defend their Portuguese league title, but it was another productive campaign for the 26-year-old.

In all competitions, the midfielder featured 37 times for Sporting, scoring three goals, and enjoyed his first regular taste of Champions League football, turning out six times as his team reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2008-2009.

Accordi