Shakhtar Donetsk forward Pedrinho has turned down a £16 million move to Al-Ain in a potential boost to Premier League suitors Wolverhampton Wanderers, as reported by Goal.
That’s if a move to Molineux is still on the cards of course.
Pedrinho’s agent told Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola in April that Wolves had held ‘advanced’ talks with a twinkle-toed forward who played under Bruno Lage for a brief stint at Benfica during the second half of the 2019/20 season.
Things have gone quiet since, then, however. Regarding Wolves, at least.
Two months after Pedrinho’s representative made Wolves’ interest public knowledge, speculation concerning a potential return to Brazil have ramped up. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine ongoing, the Shakhtar-owned Pedrinho is currently keeping himself fit at the training ground of former employers Corinthians.
And, according to Globo Esporte, reigning Brazilian champions Atletico Mineiro are now in negotiations. Pedrinho would join the Serie A winners on loan until the summer of 2023, with Atletico holding the option to sign the 24-year-old on a permanent basis to the tune of around £16 million.
Pedrinho, the report adds, would welcome the opportunity to sign on the dotted line with Atletico.
Could Pedrinho still end up at Wolves?
Assuming that staying in Donetsk is out of the question – and with Pedrinho turning down a lucrative move to Abu Dhabi with Al-Ain – it seems that there is only two possibilities remaining. Either Pedrinho moves back to Brazil – at least on loan – or he joins a club in one of Europe’s major leagues.
“Wherever I am, I just want to play football and show my talent,” Pedrinho explained a few weeks ago. “Whether in Europe or here in Brazil.
“I am very calm. Every footballer dreams of moving to Europe, but I don’t see a problem staying in Brazil.”
Wolves are yet to bring in a single new face so far this summer. Fulham look set to snatch Joao Palhinha from under Lage’s nose, while Gabriel Slonina is heading to Chelsea. An eye-catching £18 million deal for River Plate’s Enzo Fernandez, however, may be on the cards.
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