The Juanlu Sanchez transfer saga hasn’t been kind to Wolves, with the player unconvinced by a move to Molineux, but Sevilla may have just given the Old Gold a leg up in the race.
Wolves have been pursuing Juanlu Sanchez for what feels like an eternity. The Spanish right-back has come into focus after the signing of David Moller Wolfe filled the vacancy on the opposite flank.
An agreement was reached in principle between Wolves and Sevilla, but progression has apparently stalled. Everton joined the race for Sanchez but that seems to have fizzled out.
Come around to this week, and it has emerged that Sanchez doesn’t want a move to Wolves, clear about his preference for Italian champions Napoli.
But Wolves have been given the slightest encouragement as new information from the Sevilla camp comes out.
Sevilla putting pressure on Juanlu Sanchez’s agents to consider Wolves move
In the latest twist in this transfer tale, Mucho Deporte report that Sevilla are growing impatient as Sanchez holds out for Napoli, saying: “Sevilla desperately needs a sale, or Badé’s, to register and sign. Sevilla is trying to make Juanlu’s agents see that Wolverhampton is more than a club.”
By more than a club, the Spanish outlet are referring to the opportunities that succeeding at Wolves can open up: “If Juanlu makes a splash in England, the “super agent” [Jorge Mendes] will secure a place at a top club.”
While not a justification most Wolves fans would appreciate, it does point to Sevilla’s desire for the player to agree to the Wolves deal.
Whether this pressure changes Sanchez’s mind remains to be seen, but if Napoli refuse to match the offer, it could create discomfort for all parties involved.
How Wolves should feel about Juanlu Sanchez’s rejection
It’s always a tricky one when a player isn’t keen on a move that has been agreed by the clubs. Do Wolves even want a player who doesn’t value the club as a destination?
Football is a business, and sometimes it’s better to not take things personally. Vitor Pereira desperately needs some quality in defence, and Sanchez is a quality player, and a versatile one.
Sanchez’s camp have claimed a stay in Sevilla is not out of the question, but it may be an uncomfortable prospect given the harm he may cause to the Spanish side’s capabilities in the transfer market.
With less than four weeks to go in this transfer window, pressure will begin to mount on the 21-year-old to make a decision, and if Napoli hold firm on not raising their bid, Wolves could benefit.