Reported Wolves target Manuel Ugarte has reportedly rejected an offer of a new contract from Sporting CP.
Record have reported that the midfielder has turned down better terms with the Portuguese giants that would have seen him earn higher wages.
The news is a potential boost for Wolves, who have reportedly sounded Ugarte out as a possible replacement for Ruben Neves.
Ugarte is a holding midfielder with an excellent passing range and brilliant engine.
The 21-year-old has really caught the eye this season, and would make a superb signing for a lot of teams.
Wolves, of course, did business with Sporting last summer to bring Matheus Nunes to Molineux.
The clubs also did business together over Ruben Vinagre.
Jorge Mendes is the player’s agent and so, it’s very possible Ugarte may end up heading to Molineux.
But there’s interest from lots of other clubs, such as Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
The news about him rejecting a new contract from Sporting is also significant because the new deal offered apparently included a higher release clause.
At the moment, it is thought to be around £53 million. The new contract had one in worth about £70 million.
Good news for Wolves as Manuel Ugarte rejects contract offer, but he could still be very expensive to sign this summer
Ugarte choosing not to sign an extension at Sporting is a potential boost for Wolves.
It indicates he is perhaps open to leaving the club this summer.
But Wolves would still likely have to fork out a lot of money to sign the Uruguay international.
This is a player with huge potential and lots of interest in him from other clubs.
There could very well be a huge scrap come the summer in the wake of this news about him rejecting a new contract offer.