Bruno Lage could be reunited with Shakhtar Donetsk star Pedrinho at Wolverhampton Wanderers but face competition from Premier League rivals Everton, according to Gazeta Esportiva.
Two years ago, Lage’s Benfica paid a cool £18 million to bring Pedrinho to the Estadio da Luz. The hope, at the time, was that the Brazil U23 international would blossom into a talismanic presence at the heart of Lage’s midfield.
“He’s a player I know very well,” the coach said at the time (TVI24).
The admiration, between player and boss, was mutual too.
“He’s an intelligent coach,” Pedrinho adds (CM Jornal). “He likes to have high-level players in order to compete.”
It was a surprise, then, when both Lage and Pedrinho departed the Portuguese capital just a few months later.
The Primeira Liga-winning coach resigned after losing his crown to Porto. While his £18 million midfielder opted to follow in the footsteps of Fernandinho, Willian, Fred, Douglas Costa and co, becoming the latest up-and-coming Brazilian on Shakthar Donetsk’s roster.
Best laid plans, and all that.
Is Pedrinho heading to the Premier League?
But the current geopolitical situation over in Ukraine means that, according to Gazeta Esportiva, Lage and Pedrinho may soon be reunited at Molineux.
A FIFA statement, released on Monday, announced that players based in Ukraine and Russia can temporarily break their contracts and join foreign clubs on free transfers from now until June 30.
If Everton and Wolves are serious about offering Pedrinho a fresh start, they can do so without spending a penny.
A skilful, versatile attacking midfielder who play through the centre or on the right, Pedrinho would certainly enhance two of the division’s less free-scoring sides.
Between them, Wolves and Everton have scored just 52 goals this season.
Pedrinho has also been linked with a return to former club Corinthians. But, according to president Duilio Menteiro Alves, those reports are wide of the mark.
“Having a player for three months… I don’t think that’s a plus for us,” says Alves, via UA Tribuna.
Watch this space.
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