Wolves could make a £17 million bid for Porto star Sergio Oliveira with Bruno Lage hoping to add some experience to his ranks, according to Portuguese publication JN.
In February 2020, Lage found out the hard way just how dangerous the Portugal international can be when he made one of those trademark darting runs into the penalty area.
As Benfica lost 3-2 to Primeira Liga rivals Porto at the Estadio do Dragao, Oliveira opened the scoring with a beautifully controlled, acrobatic volley. It was a finish made all the more impressive when you consider that, just 18 months ago, Oliveira was far from a regular fixture on the scoresheet.
But whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
During 2020/21, Oliveira scored a remarkable 20 goals in all competitions – more than he managed during his five previous campaigns put together.
Whether Oliveira can maintain his transformation into an Iberian Frank Lampard, if you will, remains to be seen. But Wolverhampton Wanderers are keen to find out, JN claiming the Black Country giants will take a £17 million punt on the 13-cap Portugal international.
Sergio Oliveira could add goals to Wolves’ midfield
Lage apparently wants to bring some extra experience to his engine room with Ruben Neves, Leander Dendoncker and Joao Moutinho the only senior central midfield options at the 45-year-old’s disposal.
Oliveira, who was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer, is another Jorge Mendes client.
The Iberian super-agent has brought Daniel Podence, Francisco Trincao, Jose Sa, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo to Molineux since the start of 2020.
Serie A giants Fiorentina tried to sign Oliveira in June. And, when discussing why the deal didn’t happen, La Viola owner Rocco Commisso highlighted the sort of fees required to bring in one of Europe’s most prolific central midfielders.
“Jorge Mendes, his agent, presented us a cost of €20 million (£17 million) for the transfer in addition to other costs relating to commissions, which were never less than £20 million,” Commisso said.
“But the salary was almost double for a 29-year-old player (£75,000-a-week). In other words, Sergio Oliveira’s overall cost was €44.5 million (£38 million).”
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