Wolverhampton Wanderers have cruised through the Championship and into the Premier League.
When Jorge Mendes started bringing his clients to Wolverhampton Wanderers, fans must have wondered whether the likes of Ruben Neves, Ivan Cavaleiro and Diogo Jota were simply seeing Molineux as a stepping stone en route to the big time.
It is all well and good signing players; keeping them when more established clubs come calling is the real challenge.
And after a sensational debut season in England, £15.8 million record signing Neves has started to attract attention from clubs higher up the footballing pyramid.
The Birmingham Mail recently claimed that Manchester United have been watching the former Porto captain while Liverpool have also been linked with a player who is arguably the most gifted footballer ever seen in England’s second tier.
But after narrowly missing out to Ryan Sessengon in the EFL end of season awards, Neves made it very clear that he is not eyeing a move to Old Trafford or Anfield right now.
“Yes, I would like to stay,” the 21-year-old said. “Honestly, I love to play here. I love the boys and I love the fans. I am really happy here.
“Of course, it is my first season in the Premier League. It is the place that Wolves deserve. The fans deserve it as well. If it is possible, I would like to stay here to have my first year in the Premier League.”
This is perhaps the biggest indication yet that Wolves are a real force to be reckoned with. Because, clearly, the players believe in the project taking shape at Molineux right now and are keen to stay for the ride.
Helder Costa, Diogo Jota and Willy Boly will all have made initial loan moves at Wolves into permanent transfers come the end of this season, so it seems the club’s array of talented players do not simply see it as a means of putting themselves in the shop window.
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