Wolves go ahead of Tottenham for key midfield transfer target
Wolverhampton Wanderers have formalised the details of a bid to sign Sporting Lisbon's midfield ace João Palhinha.
Tottenham Hotspur are set to lose another transfer target, this time, to Wolves, who have gone ahead to place a bid for the Portugal midfielder.
The 26-year-old has been a key player for Sporting this season in the Portuguese Primera Liga and his performances have attracted a few clubs from Europe's top leagues. He has even stated that he would like to move to the Premier League soon.
He may now get his chance after reports emerged that Wolves have gone ahead to set the ball rolling in order to enable them place a formal bid for his signature on the table of Sporting. They look set to beat Spurs, who are the other club with a more defined interest, to the players signature depending on how negotiations go.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Palhinha's agents and Wolves representatives have met and are in the process of agreeing personal terms. The next step will then be to table their bid before Sporting, who are reported to be asking for €25million to let go of Palhinha.
Wolves' offer, however, has not been revealed to the media, but it is understood that the club will not wait to move on a few players in order to create space for the deal as was previously reported.
Wolves are preparing to lose their two most important midfielders, João Moutinho and Ruben Neves, in the summer. Moutinho, 35, will be out of a contract in June and both parties look set to end their relationship after four seasons.
Neves, on the other hand, is being targeted by the biggest clubs around including Manchester United and Barcelona, and could leave Molineux this summer for one of those clubs.
Palhinha has also been a long term interest of Wolves' manager Bruno Lage while he was at other clubs. The allure of the Premier League could help him land one of his most coveted players as the player himself is seeking a Premier League move.
Spurs are also at a loss for what to do with Tanguy Ndombele who returns to the club after a six-month loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais.
His future remains in limbo as no club is willing to take a chance on his £54 million price tag. Palhinha would have been the perfect replacement for the Frenchman but unless they make a proactive move, they will lose out.
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