Reported Wolves target Miranda admits he’d only sign for money – should Lambert block deal?

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Wolverhampton Wanderers need to learn the mistakes of last summer – so avoiding a deal for Rio Ave defender Roderick Miranda would be a good start.

When Chinese consortium Fosun International completed their takeover of Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, the fans had a right to be sceptical.

Particularly when it became clear that the new owners’ links with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes (above) turned Molineux into something of a stepping stone for a throng of unknown talents from the Iberian nation, the Birmingham Mail reports.

So far, only wing wonders Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro, who both broke the club’s transfer record after signing from Benfica and Monaco respectively, could be considered a success. Silvio, Ola John and Joao Teixeira; less so.

As a result, manager Paul Lambert insisted recently that Wolves would not be looking to repeat the wide-ranging recruitment drive of last summer.

“We can’t have another 12 or 13 coming in with many who maybe don’t know the division and haven’t played many games,” Lambert said in quotes reported by the Birmingham Mail.

“We will do everything we can to get lads in who are going to be ready for it, to play in front of big crowds, Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday.”

Therefore, this appears to make a summer move for Rio Ave defender Roderick Miranda unlikely in the extreme. O Jogo reported in February that the 6ft 4ins former Benfica prospect was on Wolves’ radar as well as piquing the interest of clubs in Portugal and France.

Brutal Honesty

Although, perhaps Lambert attempting to alter Wolves’ transfer policy may not be a bad thing.

“Leaving Portugal to play in the second English League, it would have to be financially very appetising,” Miranda admitted to O Jogo.

You don’t even have to read between the lines to realise that the 25-year-old wouldn’t sign for Wolves to play in front of the Molineux terraces. Lambert needs players with full commitment if they are to push for promotion next season.