Wolves receive Adama Traore update as Bruno Lage targets double transfer
Here are your Wolves headlines from Saturday, June 18...
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ hand could be forced after Fulham agreed a fee with Sporting for Portugal international Joao Palhinha.
Palhinha has been coveted by Wolves for the best part of three years and looks set to depart Sporting this summer. The Premier League is viewed as the perfect destination for the robust defensive midfielder, and Fulham have stolen a march on Wolves by agreeing an initial fee of around £16m.
Sporting are expecting Wolves to make a fresh attempt to sign the midfielder. Palhinha is biding his time before making a decision on his future and is currently holidaying in Dubai with his partner after playing a part in Portugal’s Nations League fixtures.
Bruno Lage is understood to be a fan of Palhinha and wants Wolves to sign his compatriot. But Wolves must move quickly to prevent newly-promoted Fulham, who are managed by fellow Portuguese Marco Silva, from sealing what would be a transfer coup.
has been told Lage also rates Matheus Nunes highly, but a move for Palhinha’s Sporting and Portugal teammate is much more difficult to complete. Sporting need to raise funds this summer though, which is why offers for Nunes will be considered.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who played alongside Toti Gomes at Estoril, has made a name for himself in the last 12 months. Nunes now has eight caps for Portugal and was called ‘one of the best players in the world’ by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola earlier this year.
City have been linked with Nunes, as have Newcastle United and Everton, but Wolves remains an attractive proposition for Portuguese players. Given the fee it would take to sign Nunes, Wolves would most likely need to have secured the sale