Leeds owner Radrizzani keen to replicate Wolves, Mendes link-up

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is seeking clarification on the link between Wolves and agent Jorge Mendes with a view to copying the Sky Bet Championship leaders’ transfer model.

Radrizzani expressed concern over the relationship on Twitter as Wolves cruised to a 3-0 victory over his side at Elland Road last week.

Mendes has a number of clients at Wolves, including boss Nuno Espirito Santo, and several Championship rivals are concerned the club are circumventing Financial Fair Play rules by not paying players the going rate.

A subsidiary of Wolves owners Fosun also holds a percentage stake in Mendes’ agency Gestifute, which represents £15million man Ruben Neves and striker Diogo Jota.

Radrizzani revealed on Monday evening that he had written to the Football Association, Premier League and EFL about the matter.

“I want to understand the rules so I can act like them,” Radrizzani told BBC Sport.

“If it’s possible I would do the same as it’s been proven to be successful for the team. If not I will do as I did in the past, which I’m happy with too.

“To do it I might need to have five or six players on loan from an important agent or important clubs in Europe. I need to understand if it’s practical as I would like to do the same.

“I know many agents – I know Jorge Mendes well. I would love to have their help. I just want to know if it’s possible to do it within the rules.

“I might not even need an agent because I have good relations with many football teams in Europe personally. I want to understand the rules and if possible use them and the leverage of agents in circumstances like that.”

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi earlier labelled rivals’ complaints “laughable”.

The EFL is set to meet with Wolves over the link and Shi insisted the club have nothing to hide.

“I was very surprised to see some Twitter of the chairman of Leeds because I knew him, I also had several lunches with him, together with Jorge!” he told the Express & Star.

“So it’s very strange. In person I talk to him and he’s nice, so I guess maybe he has the pressure and I understand that.

“I was also surprised to see the Twitter of Keith (Wyness, Aston Villa chief executive). On Saturday I met him and said ‘what happened?’.

“I’m the chairman of a club so I can understand the pressure. We’re the guys facing pressure from fans and the league and I can understand releasing pressure on Twitter.

“On the other hand I think frankly it’s laughable, because they know nothing about us. I know everything about us and our club and what we’re doing.

“I know everything about the rules of the league and the FA and the EFL knows our dealings, every transfer document, agent fees, all information is recorded in their library.

“Our opponents don’t know much about us and it’s not a fair dispute. It’s easy for us to answer all the questions.”

Wolves are three points clear at the top of the Championship ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Reading.