Manchester City loanee Vinicius ‘Vini’ Souza has played down reports suggesting that he will join Premier League rivals Wolves after a spell at Espanyol, speaking to El Mundo.
During Julen Lopetegui’s first transfer window as Wolves boss, both Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes arrived from Nice and Flamengo respectively, adding further depth and quality to the Molineux midfield.
Reports suggesting that Souza was set to follow in their footsteps, then, always seemed a little odd. The £8 million-rated Rio-born 23-year-old, Mundo Deportivo say, has ‘agreed’ to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer.
But does Lopetegui really need another defensively-minded ball-winner, with Lemina and Gomes already through the door?
No player in La Liga averages more than his 3.6 tackles per game (WhoScored). But, while playing down those Wolves rumours, Souza admits that he would relish the chance to turn his loan deal into a permanent transfer at Espanyol.
Are Wolves really going to sign Vinicius Souza from Manchester City?
“Of course! I can’t talk too much about it, because it’s not in my hands, but I’d love to stay,” Souza says.
When pressed further on the Wolves links, Souza added; “I prefer not to think about it right now. Right now, my head is completely focused on Espanyol and the League.
“Yes, it is true that I have been listening to things. But right now, I don’t care. My mind is 100 per cent on this club.”
Souza, who has represented Brazil at U20 level, is integral to Espanyol’s hopes of avoiding the drop from La Liga. Diego Martinez’s side are 15th. But only one point above the drop zone in a relegation battle even more tense than the Premier League’s.
Wolves, meanwhile, are facing a tense few weeks of their own. Sunday’s controversial 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United – Nick Pope somehow avoiding a penalty and another red card – means there are just three points separating the Black Country outfit from 18th spot.
Interestingly, Wolves are reportedly tracking Souza’s Espanyol team-mate too; the Mexican centre-half Cesar Montes.
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