Wolves are reportedly in talks with Sporting Cp to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
Reports earlier this week claimed Wanderers and Atletico Madrid are both in negotiations with the Portuguese club and Jorge Mendes about a potential deal.
Ugarte has had an impressive season so far in 2022/23.
At the moment he is the top tackler in the Champions League.
Ugarte has had regular game time so far this season, making 23 appearances for a total of 1554 minutes on the pitch.
Undoubtedly, his chances to play were boosted quite significantly after Sporting had offloaded both Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes in the summer.
Palhinha headed to Fulham, and Nunes came to Molineux.
And the 24-year-old might just be key here in any potential deal for Wolves.
Nunes knows Ugarte quite well, and Ugarte has actually praised Nunes previously, saying ‘it’s very easy to play with him’ (via Portugal Posts English).
Ugarte – a more defensive-minded midfielder who has been likened to Sergio Busquets in the past – shared the pitch 33 times with Nunes at Sporting (via Transfermarkt).
It will be very interesting to see if Wolves do come calling.
Matheus Nunes could help Wolves bring Manuel Ugarte to Molineux
This is something that could have legs.
Julen Lopetegui said after the game with Aston Villa, when talking about Traore’s injury, that he needed ‘more’. That was a reference to using the transfer market.
Ugarte could be someone the club move for, having built a good relationship with Sporting over the Nunes deal.
With Mendes once again playing an active role, it could be that the Uruguay international also becomes a Wolves player before long.
He’s got a £52 million release clause though, which Wolves will not want to go near.