One player Wolves are working to sign has been singled out for praise.
It’s been a slow start to the summer transfer window for the Old Gold, who have only welcomed one new player so far.
The delay in signings was to be expected, as there was a change in Wolves’ hierarchy early into the summer, seeing sporting director Matt Hobbs leave.
Domenico Teti will be working hard with those around him to bolster Vitor Pereira’s squad, something that Wolves are reportedly close to doing.
Wolves have outsmarted other clubs to land Jhon Arias
After having an opening bid for Jhon Arias rejected by Fluminense, progress has been made over the Colombian’s move.
Arias is expected to join Wolves in the coming days after a breakthrough in negotiations, with the player’s heart set on a move to Europe.
At 27, the Colombia international is yet to play in Europe in his career, but now, his dream could come true.
Arias has been endorsed by some of the world’s best, with his talent something that has gone under the radar for European clubs searching the South American market.
South American football expert Tim Vickery thinks he knows why this is, as he explained on talkSPORT.
“He’ll do whatever you want, and the only thing that has stopped him coming so far is his age,” Vickery said.
“The European clubs now want to rip them from the cradle; they want 18-year-olds, and Arias is now 27. I think there’s a little jewel there, I think he’s a wonderful player.”
Vickery suggested that clubs are too focused on snatching young talent from South America rather than seeing the value in those who are more developed.
Since Real Madrid’s capture of Vinicius Junior in 2018 from Flamengo, European clubs have been on the hunt for their own treasure, something Wolves themselves have done.
Arias could be next, but as a player in his senior years, Wolves might just uncover gold from a patch that others haven’t bothered to search.
Poaching upcoming Brazilian talent isn’t always a success
Brazil is the home of football, making it an attractive place for clubs to search for the next big thing.
For some, it’s a goldmine, and for others, the results prove that taking young talent from their homes too early is incredibly costly.
West Ham signed Luis Guilherme for £25.5m in 2024, and ever since, the Brazilian has made 13 appearances, failing to record a goal contribution.
The move was too soon for the teenager, who isn’t ready for the Premier League and hasn’t been given an appropriate place to bloom.
It’s a dangerous game to play, for club and for player, something Wolves are avoiding by signing Arias, who, at 27, has experience at senior level.