Fernando Marcal is in talks to join Brazil outfit Botafogo after just two years at Premier League high-flyers Wolverhampton Wanderers, as reported by UOL.
It’s difficult to work out what to make of Marcal’s time at Molineux.
The veteran defender certainly won’t go down as one of the most inspired additions of the Fosun era. But he’s no flop either.
If Ruben Neves is the pinnacle, and Patrick Cutrone can be considered the worst of Wolves’ post-2016 signings, then Marcal probably falls somewhere in the middle. The archetypal 6/10 man.
A reliable squad player but not much more than that. A safe pair of hands who’s departure will be met with a curt handshake and a nod of approval rather than any tears of mourning.
Is Marcal leaving Wolves for Brazil?
The 33-year-old’s contract expires this summer.
And, despite starting 15 Premier League games since Bruno Lage replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the Black Country, a new deal currently seems unlikely.
“Marcal; Talks (with Botafogo) are going well. Confidence is great for the signing. The trend is that the full-back will arrive in the July window,” Brazilian reporter Thiago Franklin writes on Twitter.
“Glorioso is looking for another option for the (left-back) position.”
According to UOL, a Botafogo side who sealed their return to the top flight at the first time of asking last season – winning the Serie B title – have made a ‘proposal’ for Marcal.
A move to the Estadio Nilson Santos will see the Sao Paulo-born defender reunite with one of his close friends, former Lyon team-mate and one-time Manchester United star Rafael da Silva.
“He has quality as a defender and as an offensive player also,” fellow Wolves defender Romain Saiss said of Marcal. “He is good for the team, and good for me on the left-hand side.
“He’s strong defensively and he likes to play forward. He wants to bring something in the game offensively. “He’s so good, so I enjoy playing with him.”
Saiss, it seems, will have to find a new partner-in-crime sooner enough.
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