Wolverhampton Wanderers fans will be watching the Transfer Tavern news closely this window with the West Midlands club linked with some top talent, but the fans will also be praying that they can keep hold of their main stars.
Nuno Espirito Santo and his Wolves side took the Championship by storm last season, racking up 99 points and winning 30 of their 46 games on their way to the title.
There was no doubt that Ruben Neves was their star-man, with the 21-year-old centre-mid picking up the club’s player of the season, player’s player and goal of the season awards. It comes as no surprise then that, worryingly for Wolves fans, Neves has been linked with a move to one of the top Premier League clubs this summer.
Both Spurs and Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Portuguese playmaker, although he has indicated his desire to stay at Molineux. A big bid from either club and the chance to play Champions League football could certainly sway his decision though.
If Neves were to leave, Wolves should desperately try to sign fellow Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes as his replacement. Fernandes recently terminated his contract with Sporting Lisbon after a group of 50 fans attacked the players at their training ground in May.
Clearly, when a player of his quality becomes available on a free transfer there is bound to be interest from some of the biggest names in European football. The 23-year-old has already been linked with Inter Milan and Roma after scoring 16 goals and providing 20 assists in 56 games for Sporting last season.
But with promotion to the Premier League and the signings of Willy Boly, Diogo Jota and Benik Afobe confirmed as well as Portugal number one Rui Patrício signing from the same situation, Fernandes could well be persuaded that his future lies in England.
If Santo were able to add his compatriot Fernandes to his Portuguese project in Wolverhampton it would be a huge coup for the club.
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