Benfica midfielder Joao Carvalho could be the latest Portuguese starlet moving to Molineux with Wolverhampton Wanderers edging closer to a deal.
Wolves are eight points clear at the top of the Championship going into the final game of 2017 but there are still a few positions that need strengthening in January.
It is no secret that Nuno Espirito Santo wants another striker to provide back-up to Leo Bonatini while a new right-wing back is also a priority.
Though it appears that one of Wolves’ first moves could be to bring in another central midfielder to complement Ruben Neves, Romain Saiss and co. And two weeks after O Jogo claimed that Wolves had entered negotiations to sign Benfica starlet Joao Carvalho for around £13 million, it appears that they are now closer than ever to a deal.
Portuguese outlet Diario de Noticias (27th December, page 34) states that Wolves had made a ‘proposal’ to sign the 20-year-old midfielder. Whether this means he would join on an initial loan deal with an option to sign permanently, a la Diego Jota, Willy Boly or Helder Costa, remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that this latest Iberian arrival owes much to the influence of super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Carvalho would be the latest Portuguese youngster to make the move to Wolves thanks to Mendes’ connections with his Gestifute agency closely linked with reigning Primeira Liga champions Benfica.
Carvalho made his first-team debut for Benfica in the recent Champions League clash with FC Basel but has first-team experience under his belt after spending last season on loan at Vitoria Setubal.
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