According to Correio da Manhã via Sport Witness, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with Sporting CP for João Palhinha. The 24-year-old has spent the last two years on loan at SC Braga, so his future may be up at the Estádio José Alvalade, but there’s still a disagreement over the asking price.
Correio da Manhã say a deal could be done for €15m but Sporting are looking to push that figure up. The Portuguese Primeira Liga club are desperate to sell to fund a summer spending spree and Wolves have been following Palhinha for some time, so a deal should get over the line.
Wolves were in negotiations for the 24-year-old last week and are closer than ever to finalising a transfer. Nuno Espirito Santo has Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Romain Saiss, Leander Dendoncker, Bruno Jordao and Morgan Gibbs-White in midfield, but he’s still keen to strengthen the engine room.
The Midlands outfit have been linked with Aston Villa’s John McGinn, Olympique Marseille’s Morgan Sanson and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie among others, but Palhinha may be the first player through the door this summer. He’s made only 18 appearances in all competitions for Sporting since his 2013-move from Sacavenense and will surely jump at the chance for a fresh start.
