Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first signing of the summer could be João Palhinha – a talented 24-year-old midfielder who plays for Sporting CP and is currently on loan at SC Braga. Palhinha is expected to be sold for less than his release clause, but there have many obstacles standing in a way of a transfer being completed.
Wolves were negotiating terms with Sporting earlier in May, appeared to have reached an agreement in principle weeks later, had Sporting president Frederico Varandas publicy deny an agreement and are now said to have presented a proposal to land his signature. But who is Palhinha? And why is he available for so cheap?
Palhinha joined Sporting from Sacavenense in January 2013 and went on to make 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals. The 24-year-old struggled for playing time at the Estádio José Alvalade and racked up just 287 minutes of football in his final season before being loaned out to Braga.
He’s since made 67 appearances for the Portuguese outfit, scoring six goals and making three assists. Described by Football Whispers as a tough-tackling defensive-midfielder, Palhinha completed 84% of his 826 passes, made 15/20 successful dribbles, blocked 24 shots/passes/crosses, created 10 chances and averaged a tackle (63) or interception (17) in 18 Liga Nos games, as per WhoScored – his last season at Braga.
Palhinha will return to Sporting at the end of his loan this summer, but he’s surplus to requirements. And while the 24-year-old has an £18m release clause, the Mirror say Sporting could accept less as they’re in a ‘financial crisis’.
Palhinha may be open to a change of scenery too, with A Bola revealing that he swapped his agent in April, so the stage may be set for Wolves to bring him to England. The Midlands outfit have lot of Portuguese talent (Rui Patricio, Ruben Vinagre, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Bruno Jordao, Diogo Jota, Daniel Podence, Pedro Neto), so the countryman would be right at home at Molineux.
