Joao Palhinha has been left out of Sporting Lisbon’s pre-season camp as the Wolverhampton Wanderers target closes in on a move away from the Portuguese giants, according to RRSapo.
A transfer saga that has rumbled on since the middle of May appears to be finally nearing completion.
CM Jornal claimed three months ago that a ball-winning battler who impressed against Wolves in the Europa League last year was on his way to Molineux, with a deal all-but agreed.
With talks stalling as CSKA Moscow threw their ushanka into the ring, however, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have work to do if they are to fight off clubs from Russia and the Middle East for Palhinha’s signature (Mirror, 18 August, page 48).
Sporting want £15 million for a man who spent 2019/20 on loan at a Braga side who finished ahead of them in third place last season, albeit on goal difference.
And it is surely no coincidence that Palhinha was nowhere to be seen as Sporting’s squad boarded the bus and headed off to the Algarve as their pre-season preparations get underway.
Argentina international Marcos Acuna and ex-Liverpool youngster Rafael Camacho were also conspicuous by their absence.
25-year-old Palhinha could be set to join compatriots Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves at the heart of Wolves’ midfield. And no one in Nuno’s squad can match him when it comes to successful tackles per game (3 in 90 minutes).
A Bola claimed this weekend that Wolves are still very much in the race.
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