AS Roma are said to be keen to sign Joao Moutinho – and the star’s previous praise for Jose Mourinho is potentially ominous.
The Wolves star has reportedly emerged as a target for the Italian side (Jornal de Noticias).
The inaugural UEFA Conference League winners are ready to swoop for the 35-year-old in case he doesn’t agree an extension with Wanderers.
The club want to keep him, and he supposedly wants to stay.
But the sticking point is that he wants two more years and Wolves only want to offer one.
Wolves now have one month to reach an agreement, or else Moutinho will depart after four years at Molineux.
Moutinho is said to be keen to stay at Molineux, but it’s possible his stance could end up changing the longer the situation drags out.
And the fact Roma are waiting in the wings is a slight concern.
They are managed by Mourinho, and Moutinho has previously hailed The Special One.
He told the Wolves official website in 2018: “He is iconic. He’s going to be for all the time for what he’s already achieved, and also what he wants to achieve, because he’s not satisfied.
“Mourinho is not satisfied with what he has, he wants something more and more and more, and I think it’s the mentality we all need to be better and to do a better job.”
Joao Moutinho wants to stay at Wolves, but Jose Mourinho factor could complicate things
If Wolves really want Moutinho to stay then the club need to get a move on, with Roma now waiting in the wings.
It seems he wants to stay, but it could be that as time goes on he might change his mind.
Moutinho clearly has a lot of respect for his compatriot Mourinho. And it’s likely he would be open to working with him before he hangs up his boots.
Hopefully Wolves officials can soon strike an agreement with him.