---
title: "Wolves: Portuguese newspaper provides Joao Palhinha update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-joao-palhinha-transfer-gossip/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-05-12T11:10:13Z"
modified: "2022-05-12T11:10:13Z"
---

# Wolves: Portuguese newspaper provides Joao Palhinha update

**According to a report from Portuguese newspaper [Jornal de Notícias](https://jn.pt/) (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/wolves-chase-sporting-player-highlighted-bruno-lage-top-list-priorities/)), [Wolverhampton Wanderers](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/) are now in a three-way battle for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha.**

### The lowdown: Replacements needed…

Wolves could be in the market for at least one central midfielder as experienced star Joao Moutinho fast approaches the end of his contract at Molineux ([Transfermarrkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-moutinho/profil/spieler/29364)).

As things stand the 35-year-old will move on this summer, whilst Leander Dendonker has been [linked](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leander-dendoncker-transfer-wolves-lazio-23718881) with a move to SS Lazio and talismanic star Ruben Neves continues to be [indexed](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ruben-neves-manutd-arsenal-transfer-23602710) with a big-money departure.

[All the latest from Wolves!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-6/)

With doubts lingering over the aforementioned trio, it’s no surprise that Wolves are already being touted with possible successors…

### The latest: Premier League transfer battle

As per [Jornal de Notícias](https://jn.pt/), translated by [SW](https://sportwitness.co.uk/wolves-chase-sporting-player-highlighted-bruno-lage-top-list-priorities/), Wolves are one of the ‘main interested’ clubs in Palhinha alongside Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s claimed that Sporting will listen to offers of around €30-40million (£25-34million) for the 26-year-old Portugal international.

The report states that Palhinha – who was [described](https://twitter.com/ZachLowy/status/1439769827183312897) as ‘brilliant’ and the ‘most underrated player in Portugal’ by journalist Zach Lowy – is a personal priority for Bruno Lage this summer.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383519″\]

### The verdict: Make it happen

As the Wanderers prepare for life after at least one of their current midfielders, ready-made additions will be a necessity if Lage is going to push the side forwards once again next term.

Albeit the 2021/22 campaign has been a success overall, the heavy defeat at the hands of Manchester City and the [recent form](https://www.skysports.com/wolverhampton-wanderers-results) moreover has acted as a stark reminder as to how far away Wolves are from the upper echelons of the Premier League.

\[freshpress-poll id=”388780″\]

Predominantly operating as a defensive-minded midfielder, Palhinha has a [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/joao-palhinha/364612) rating of 7.11 this season in the Primeira Liga, winning an impressive 7.1 duels and making 3.0 tackles on average per game.

Those combative attributes would suggest that the [12-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-palhinha/nationalmannschaft/spieler/257455/verein_id/3300) international ace could be the ideal candidate to replace Moutinho or Dendonker in the Molineux ranks, particularly at the lower end of the mooted valuation.

***In other news, Wolves have been backed to sign a Premier League attacker this summer. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/origi-wolves-transfer-claim-josh-holland/).***