GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Joao Palhinha of Braga reacts after going close during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Rangers FC and Sporting Braga at Ibrox Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
According to Birmingham Live, Wolves have kept a firm interest in Joao Palhinha of Sporting CP. It has also been reported that the player is keen on a move to the Premier League and Wolves could be to his liking.
The interest from Wolves is hardly surprising, with so many Portuguese players making the move to the club in recent years. Another Premier League club West Ham are also keeping an eye on the 25-year-old, while there has also been interest from Germany and Spain.
Born in Portugal, Palhinha started his journey with Sacavenense before joining Sporting’s youth academy. Rising through the club’s youth ranks, he was sent on loan spells earlier in his career to improve with game time but he failed to cement his place in Sporting’s senior squad.
He was then sent on a two-year loan spell to Braga in August 2018 and he immediately established himself as a key figure of the squad.
He was in sensational form last season as he helped Braga to a third-place finish in the league standings and also helped them lift the Portuguese League Cup title. In 76 appearances for the side, he scored 6 goals and assisted 3 more (source – Transfermarkt).
Currently he is back at Sporting and has played 4 games already this season. Palhinha has also represented Portugal at various youth levels from U18 to U20 but has not featured for the senior side to date.
A look at Wolves’ squad will give you the idea that they need a specialist defensive midfielder. Leander Dendoncker has been out of form for a while and Ruben Neves has been used higher up the pitch in combination with Joao Moutinho. Both of them have a tendency to move up the pitch and play a part in the final third.
Joao Palhinha is a natural defensive midfielder and has played that role for a while now. His ability to break up play and cut lines of passing would appeal to Wolves. He would be an ideal replacement for Dendoncker and would complement the likes of Moutinho and Neves.
With the player keen on moving and Wolves keen on the player, working out a deal should not be a huge problem. The club should try to sign him in January or next summer.
