Vitor Pereira has already told Wolves exactly why they should sign £20m target – he’s ‘an animal’

Wolves ended the winter transfer window with excitement around Molineux despite supporters questioning most of their business across the month.

It took until transfer deadline day but Wolves completed the signings of Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi, who joined Emmanuel Agbadou at the club.

But there were several near misses, as Wolves were close to signing Thomas Kristensen from Udinese as well as an attacking option.

Vitor Pereira wanted at least three new players and Fosun delivered his wish, although a forward addition was also a preference to the Portuguese tactician.

It has since emerged that Wolves tried to sign Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto in January, who knows Pereira very well.

• READ MORE: Wolves warned what Arsenal and Aston Villa could do to sign Matheus Cunha in summer transfer window

Vitor Pereira is a huge fan of £20m-rated Yuri Alberto

Reports indicate that Corinthians would accept £20m for the highly-rated striker who has interest from Italian side Inter Milan alongside two other Premier League clubs.

Wolves didn’t see adding to their forward line as a necessity during the winter window, seeing starman Matheus Cunha sign a new contract and Jorgen Strand Larsen trigger his permanent move to Molineux.

However, Alberto emerging as a striking option could put the English side into the hot seat to sign him, as the 23-year-old was previously coached by Pereira during his time at Corinthians.

And the Portuguese boss spoke highly of the fleet-footed forward after he scored in a 1-1 draw against Sao Paulo in September 2022.

“Today was an animal! It took work, it was in space, won in the body, scored a beautiful goal and wore out the defenders of São Paulo a lot,” Pereira said via Meu Timao.

“Miranda ends up at the limit because he (Yuri Alberto) has this physical ability to go into space, has quality and is now starting to connect a little more with others, to realize what movements we expect from him, it is natural that he will evolve until the end of the season.”

Alberto could be Matheus Cunha’s long-term replacement

It seems a matter of when rather than if Cunha departs Wolves. As many as six clubs chased him throughout the winter, with Wolves placing a £62.5 million release clause in Cunha’s contract.

The Brazilian superstar has 13 goals in all competitions this term, raising the bar even higher than his stellar 2023/24 campaign under Gary O’Neil.

Cunha, who was signed for £44m from Atletico Madrid in 2023, deserves to play Champions League football and he could be granted that wish in the summer.

Fortunately, Alberto’s goal record – including the 11 he scored in 28 appearances under Pereira – suggests he’d be an ideal replacement for the 25-year-old.

Last season, Alberto netted an eye-watering 31 goals in all competitions and at just the cost of £20 million, he could prove to be a bargain.