Wolves transfers: Haris Seferovic latest as Joao Palhinha prepares for move

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ transfer business should now be accelerated after Portugal’s Nations League matches concluded with a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland on Sunday.

Ruben Neves started three of Portugal’s four matches as speculation mounts that the 25-year-old could be set for a summer transfer to Barcelona. Barcelona aren’t currently in a position to pay Wolves £50million-plus for Neves, but their bank balance could be boosted by the potential sale of Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United.

Joao Palhinha replaced Neves in one of those matches and Wolves hope Sporting’s powerfully-built enforcer will succeed his compatriot at Molineux. Talks have been ongoing between Wolves and Sporting for a number of weeks, but confidence is growing behind-the-scenes that Palhinha will finally join the club after a pursuit spanning more than two years.

Palhinha is priced at just under £20m, although add-ons would likely take the deal beyond that figure. Some sources have also claimed Wolves could waive their Ruben Vinagre sell-on clause to sweeten the deal for Sporting.

Wolves also hold an interest in Palhinha’s Sporting teammate Matheus Nunes, but that deal is far more tricky and costly to conclude. Nunes has a host of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, chasing his signature and isn’t likely to be prised away from Sporting by a team which cannot guarantee him Champions League football.

Should Joao Moutinho extend his deal with Wolves, Bruno Lage might not need another top level midfielder in this transfer window. A final decision on Moutinho’s contract is expected swiftly with Lage hoping to finalise the bulk of Wolves’ business before pre-season gets underway at the beginning of July.

Another player whose future is set to be