Wolves have reportedly tabled an offer for Gremio winger, Pepe.
According to Brazilian publication UOL Esporte, Molineux officials have lodged an ‘informal’ bid for the 23-year-old winger, who has made 72 first-team appearances for the club.
Correio do Povo are also covering the story, and they claim Wolves are prepared to spend up to €15 million/£13.6 million to take the player to the Black Country.
(Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
The two publications, however, are in agreement that Gremio don’t want to lose their South American star.
The club have just facilitated the €20 million /£18 million exit of Everton Cebolinha to Benfica, and see Pepe as his replacement.
Their aim is to keep Pepe until February at least, which is when the Brazilian League is hoping to conclude.
Wolves have been busy in the last week, securing deals for Fabio Silva, Fernando Marcal and Vitor Ferreira aka ‘Vitinha’ in addition to goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who has already headed to Shrewsbury Town on loan.
Have Wolves spotted another hidden talent?
Although Pepe does not have the most mindblowing stats (15 goals and six assists in his 72 Gremio appearances), the player is still young and clearly has some decent potential.
He possesses electric acceleration, and appears to be a player who can take multiple players out of the game once he’s up to top speed in the dribble.
(Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
UOL Esporte, and also Globo Esporte who reported Wolves’ interest last week, are fairly reliable publications in Brazil, so it is reasonable to assume the club are indeed keen.
Pepe does have six caps for the Brazil U23s, which is a further suggestion of his promise.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s record of developing players speaks for itself, so a move for Pepe is probably something to get behind.