The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward has been linked with a £12 million move to Huddersfield Town.
According to Teamtalk, the two clubs have agreed a fee of £12 million for Cavaleiro, who scored nine goals and set up 12 as Wolves ran away with the Championship title last season, and whose sale would make little sense from most angles.
There is, however, one which could justify cashing in on the Portugal international, and that is if the Molineux side were to sign a better one instead.
Like Rui Patricio – who became Wolves’ latest Iberian recruit on Monday – Gelson Martins has terminated his Sporting contract amid unrest at the Liga NOS club, and looks set to become one of this summer’s most sought after free transfers – although his situation is complicated by Sporting’s quest for compensation.
But while big name clubs such as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have already been credited with interest in Martins, Wolves should not be deterred if their search for Cavaleiro’s replacement was to lead them to the 23-year-old.
As Patricio’s arrival proves, Nuno’s side are an attractive proposition for those of Portuguese residence, while they should be able to offer greater first team opportunities than those clubs aforementioned – especially if Cavaleiro departs.
And Wolves could almost certainly trump Lazio’s early offer to Martins, which according to Il Messaggero would see him earn a mere £35,000 a week.
For a player who scored or made 20 goals for his club last season – including two in the Champions League – and made Portugal’s squad for the 2018 World Cup, you’d pay all of that and then some.
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