---
title: "Wolves: Dean Jones drops Joao Moutinho transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/transfer-news-joao-moutinho-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-03-24T18:10:32Z"
modified: "2022-03-24T18:10:32Z"
---

# Wolves: Dean Jones drops Joao Moutinho transfer claim

**Transfer insider Dean Jones has now dropped a big Wolves claim involving Joao Moutinho.**

### The Lowdown: Uncertainty

Moutinho’s current deal at Molineux is due to expire in the [summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-moutinho/profil/spieler/29364), leaving uncertainty over his future at the Midlands club.

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He has been [linked](https://sportwitness.co.uk/end-cycle-portugal-wolves-player-set-leave-club-now-question-destination/) with a move back to his native Portugal, and given that he is 35 years of age and is the [highest earner](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/payroll/) in the squad, the Wanderers now have a big decision to make.

### The Latest: Jones claim

Speaking to [GIVEMESPORT](https://www.givemesport.com/87987640-wolves-142-cap-molineux-star-might-fancy-new-challenge), transfer insider [Jones](https://twitter.com/DeanJonesSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) has claimed that it is ‘possible’ that he will stay at WWFC, but also said that he ‘might fancy a new challenge’ in the next couple of years:

*“I think it’s possible that he will stay at Wolves, but he just needs to be cautious about a new deal because you don’t want to get yourself tied down to something that you can’t get out of.*

*“I think it is plausible that something might appeal to him in the next couple of years and he might fancy a new challenge.”*

### The Verdict: Keep

With the future of Ruben Neves [in doubt](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/wolves-journalist-backs-ruben-neves-to-leave-this-summer/), Wolves should be looking to keep Moutinho, at least on a short-term deal for another season or two until they can find a suitable replacement.

The Portugal international has ranked highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles, interceptions, key passes, crosses and long balls per game in the Premier League ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/161/Show/England-Wolverhampton-Wanderers)), and so clearly still has a lot to offer.

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However, they should look to reduce his wages should they be able to tie him down, as he is likely to become less of a fixed part of the first XI as he gets older.

Nonetheless, the Wanderers are [not really](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wolverhampton-wanderers/startseite/verein/543) in a position to be letting multiple senior central midfielders go, and so he can still play a key role in Bruno Lage’s squad.

[***In other news, find out what ‘serious blow’ has now emerged for WWFC here!***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/team-news-ruben-neves-injury-premier-league/)