Wolves reportedly lead the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, having been linked with him in the recent past.
The Lowdown: Palhinha linked with move
Bruno Lage faces the potential blow of losing Ruben Neves at the end of the season, with the Portuguese maestro tipped to complete a move to Barcelona or another of Europe’s elite clubs.
One player who has been linked with arriving at Molineux instead is Palhinha, who has grown into an influential figure in Sporting’s midfield.
The 26-year-old has made 25 Primeira Liga appearances this season, as well as starting six Champions League matches before his side’s defeat to Manchester City.
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The Latest: Wolves in pole position
Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding Palhinha’s future, with Record [via Sport Witness] claiming that Wolves are the front-runners to sign him.
He is described as a ‘preferential target’ for Lage’s side and they are readying an offer for him, with Atletico Madrid also credited with showing interest.
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The Verdict: Strong midfield contender
Palhinha looks the ideal replacement for Neves in many ways, assuming the current Wolves hero moves onto pastures new at the end of the season.
At 26, he is at a good age to come in and provide immediate quality and experience, and he has enjoyed an 87.9% pass completion rate in the league this season, which is actually superior to Neves’ tally (83.8%).
Palhinha may feel he has outgrown the Primeira Liga and is ready to test himself in the Premier League and he and Wolves look a perfect fit, with their Portuguese core an added bonus.
In other news, one Wolves player has been linked with a summer exit. Find out who it is here.
