According to Calciomercato (h/t Football.london), Wolverhampton Wanderers are in the race for Sporting CP’s Nuno Mendes. Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester United are the other clubs who are also in the running. The report also suggests that a bid from AC Milan was turned down by Sporting last month.
Nuno Mendes is an 18-year-old Portuguese left-back who plays for Liga NOS side, Sporting Lisbon. He started his youth career at Despertar in 2010 but moved to Sporting a year later. Since then, he has progressed through various age groups before stepping up to the senior team. He featured 17 times for the U-23s, scoring once and providing 3 assists.
So far, he has made just 13 appearances and scored a goal for Sporting but has managed to impress everyone. Capable of playing as a left or right-sided centre-back too, Mendes is a very versatile player.
A regular part of the Portugal youth setup, he has played a total of 16 games across various age groups. He is currently a part of the U-21’s.
It seems like Wolves can’t keep their hands away from Portuguese players. Boasting a strong contingent of players from the Iberian country, the addition of Mendes feels rather normal. Wolves may have recruited the likes of Marcal and Rayan Ait Mouri this summer and have Jonny Otto in their ranks, but they can still look to Mendes as one for the future.
His versatility means that he can be used on the other flank, as well as in central defence. He will be competing with Ait Nouri for the left-back spot and it could be a healthy competition that pushes both these promising defenders to perform better.
It might not seem like Wolves need Mendes at this point of time, with 3 players already present in the same position. However, with so many big teams after the youngster (source – Football.london), the player seems special.
Wolves would be wise enough to snap him up when the chance presents itself. Securing a talented defender at such a young age is good sense. He can go on to become a great player at the club or command a significant fee in case bigger teams come calling.