After two years of waiting, can Wolves do better than Pele?

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Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly look set to finally sign Rio Ave midfielder Pele, two years after a move to Molineux fell through?

Back in July 2016, the Express and Star reported that a midfielder by the name of Pele was on the verge of signing for a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who had recently been taken over by mega-rich Chinese investors.

Pele was expected to arrive alongside fellow Benifca duo Silvio and Helder Costa. But, while the right-back and the winger did move to Molineux eventually, a deal for Pele fell through.

Two years on, however, it seems the wait is over.

The Mail stated recently that Wolves had sent scouts to watch Pele in action for his current club, Rio Ave, ahead of a potential £9 million move to the newly promoted Premier League side. A switch to the Black Country seems to be on the cards, at last.

But will Pele be worth the wait? Wolves have not got it wrong often in the transfer market in the last few windows, but signing the Guinea-Bissau international would be something of a risk.

He never made a single appearance for Benfica and has spent the last three years on loan at Pacos Ferreira, Feirense and now Rio Ave. And, while he has impressed for the latter in 2017/18, scoring seven league goals, it is a big step up from a mid-level Portuguese side to a team with big ambitions heading into the Premier League.

Wolves have a huge reserve of funds and substantial connections in the transfer market, so there are certainly bigger name players that the club could target.

Obviously Nuno Espirito Santo has spotted something special in Pele. Fortunately for Wolves fans, the manager has not got much wrong so far.