Wolves were said to be interested in a move for Orkun Kokcu this summer.
But the midfielder has now officially completed a move to Benfica, and there is a lot of hype about the signing.
Kokcu enjoyed a brilliant campaign in 2022/23, captaining Feyenoord to their first league title since 2017 and only the second in their history.
He made 46 appearances, scoring 12 goals and making five assists.
His wonderful season led to interest from many clubs. It was reported in April that Wolves, Brighton and Leicester City all wanted to snap up the Turkey international.
But it is Benfica who have won the race – and they clearly think very, very highly of him.
Former Wolves target Orkun Kokcu becomes most expensive transfer ever by a Portuguese side
Kokcu was apparently on Wolves’ radar.
But given the transfer fee Benfica have just paid, it was perhaps unlikely that Wolves would have been able to do a deal.
According to various outlets in Portugal, including Record, Benfica landed Kokcu for an initial fee of €25 million, with that set to rise to €30 million (£25.6 million).
And there is also word on the player’s new release clause.
For club’s wanting to sign Kokcu from Benfica, they will need to pay €150 million (£128 million).
This clause is supposedly active until June 2028.
Orkun Kokcu could be another Enzo Fernandez situation for Wolves
So Kokcu is now officially a Benfica player, and clearly they are very excited about him.
To pay a record fee by a Portuguese club and then insert a whopping release clause like that definitely shows the high regard in which they hold him.
They have also handed him the number 10 shirt, worn by greats in the past like Rui Costa.
Kokcu will now look to shine in Portugal, and he will hope to do as well as Enzo Fernandez, another midfielder Wolves missed out on to Benfica.
Fernandez was sensational for Benfica, and stayed at the club for just half a season before being poached by Chelsea for a record fee by a Premier League club.
It remains to be seen if Kokcu becomes another ‘what might have been’ for Wolves.