Fernando Marcal is likely to leave Wolves this summer, but his exit is ‘not a given’ as he has impressed Bruno Lage.
The Brazilian defender is one of four players whose contracts are expiring at Molineux.
The 33-year-old is almost at the end of the two-year deal he signed upon joining the club from Lyon.
It’s been an interesting spell for Marcal at Molineux.
The star was always going to a fairly low-risk addition, coming in for just £1.78 million.
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He’s had some really good games in a Wolves shirt, but also some pretty poor ones too.
So far he has made 32 appearances for the club, which is a relatively low return. But that’s thanks to him having a few injuries – which was always likely to be the case given his record upon joining – and also having strong competition.
Recently, Marcal has been linked with a move back to his homeland.
Apparently, Botafogo are ready to move for him once his contract at Molineux expires. It would see him go back to Brazil for the first time since leaving Guaratinguetá in 2010.
Apparently though, Marcal isn’t absolutely nailed on to leave Molineux.
The Athletic say his exit is still likely, but add that he has impressed Lage.
This term, Marcal has made 19 appearances for Wanderers under the new manager. He started the season as Lage’s first-choice left wing-back, before Rayan Ait-Nouri started to get a few more chances.
Wolves should be letting Marcal leave this summer, even if he has impressed Bruno Lage
The squad needs mini surgery this summer, and club officials should be allowed Marcal to leave when his contract is up.
Yes, the £35,000-a-week star had some good performances for Wolves. But arguably he has quite done enough to warrant an extension.
Wolves should be seeking to get someone in who is between the ages of Ait-Nouri and Jonny Castro Otto.
Or perhaps Lage could even look at Ryan Giles.
He is said to be a big fan of his, and it has been reported he will look at him in pre-season.
Potentially he could help the club save millions in the transfer market on a Marcal replacement.