Wolves’ summer transfer window appears to have taken off with Jhon Arias closing in on a transfer to Molineux.
On Wednesday, Wolves agreed a £19m transfer for Jhon Arias, who is set for his medical in Wolverhampton ahead of a switch from Fluminense.
Arias is taking a pay cut to join Wolves, in what is a clear message to the Brazilian giants of his desire to play in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old emerged on Vitor Pereira’s radar after starring at the Club World Cup, with Arias outperforming Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves in one key metric across the tournament.
So, with Wolves potentially days away from confirming the capture of the highly-rated Colombian, one South American journalist has fuelled supporters’ excitement even further.
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Wolves target Jhon Arias has already impressed against Manchester City
Wolves are no strangers to shopping in the South American market, having developed the likes of Joao Gomes, Matheus Cunha and Andre into superstars.
Arias, who is seen as a bargain replacement for Cunha, could be the latest in a long list of success stories to flourish at Molineux.
The powerful winger once came up against Manchester City in the 2023 Club World Cup, and although Fluminense were thrashed 4-0, South American expert Tim Vickery remembers him looking ‘totally at home’ against one of the Premier League’s best sides.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Vickery was also shocked that performance didn’t warrant a European move. He said: “I love Arias. I remember saying on Brazilian TV a couple of years ago that if I had the money, I’d buy him just to stand him on the mantlepiece.
“Fluminense picked him up for nothing in Colombia, he wasn’t particularly rated, and he’s probably been their best player in Brazilian football.
“It really surprised me when he didn’t go after, I don’t know if you remember the game against Manchester City at the end of 2023 when City just walked through them and beat them 4-0. But Arias carried the fight, he looked totally at home in that company.”
Wolves host Manchester City on the opening day of the 2025/26 season, and all being well, Pereira will have Arias lining up against them.
Arias has a trait Vitor Pereira will love
Arias has already been endorsed by Kaka ahead of his transfer to Wolverhampton. The fleet-footed Colombian has all the attributes to become an incredible Premier League player, as seen by his performance against Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
For Fluminense, Arias has mainly been utilised as a right winger with licence to cut inside and unleash his weapon of a left foot. Whereas for Colombia, he’s deployed as part of a midfield three, which demonstrates the versatility Pereira loves.
In explaining how he’s excelled in both roles, Vickery also pointed out his deadly ability from set pieces: “With Fluminense, he gets very much a free role, he will play not so much on the right wing as from the right wing.
“He can wander across, combines really well. What he does so well, he’s a squat little figure, he turns so well and surges.
“Got a mean free kick in him as well, very good taker of set pieces. For Colombia, he plays a totally different role.
“Because Colombia are carrying James Rodriguez, you’ve got to sacrifice a little bit, so he usually plays as one of a very disciplined central midfield trio. So, he’ll do whatever you want.“
All in all, Arias looks like a potentially fantastic signing for Wolves and someone who can raise excitement levels in the crowd, just like Cunha did.