Diogo Jota was in fine form for Wolverhampton Wanderers before the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so it was to be expected he’d be linked with a move to a number of European giants.
The 23-year-old contributed 21 goals in 37 games across the board and had a hand in seven goals in his last five outings. Marca say his form may lead to interest from Atletico Madrid this summer, but their report doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Wolves signed Jota permanently from Atleti in 2018 after a successful loan spell the previous season and he’s gone on to make a total of 120 appearances in all competitions, scoring 43 goals and making 19 assists.
Jota never made an appearance for Atleti during his two years on the books in the Spanish capital, having been loaned out to FC Porto (August 26, 2016 – June 30, 2017) and Wolves (July 25, 2017 – June 30, 2018), but it’s hard to see them getting him back.
Marca quote the 23-year-old’s €35m (£32.14m) Transfermarkt value, which is now €34.1m (£31.5m), and suggest Atleti may have to pay in excess of that fee due to his impressive form in England, but that’s an understatement – CIES value Jota at €50m-€70m but Wolves may not even accept that figure for him.
The Portuguese international has played his part in Wolves being on the fringes of a Champions League place, so he’s too valuable to be sold. Jota has more than two years remaining on his deal at Molineux too, so there’s no panicking about his future.
Atleti could be one of many clubs interested this summer, but they may have to turn their attentions elsewhere.
