Wolves are favourites to beat Tottenham to the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Palhinha move
The 26-year-old is one of Sporting's most influential players, scoring three goals in 22 Primeira Liga appearances this season and being hailed as a 'special' player by his manager Ruben Amorim.
Palhinha has been linked with a summer move to Wolves as Bruno Lage looks to add more to his quality to his squad, ensuring that his side continue their current trajectory.
However, the midfielder's current deal at Sporting expires in the summer of 2026, so a big fee may be required to prise him away given the cushion of that lengthy contract.
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The Latest: Jones makes fresh Palhinha claim
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Wolves are the front-runners to snap up Palhinha ahead of fourth-placed Spurs. He claimed:
"Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest."
The Verdict: Neves replacement?
It looks increasingly likely that Ruben Neves could move on to a fresh challenge this summer, in which case it is imperative that a top-quality replacement comes in.
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Palhinha could be exactly that, possessing a similar standard of playmaking ability in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.9% pass completion rate for Portugal at Euro 2020 last summer.
His Portuguese roots could also allow him to fit in seamlessly at Molineux and, at 26 with more than 200 club career appearances, he has a perfect mix of experience and still having many years left in him.
In other news, Tim Spiers has provided a double Wolves injury update. Read more here