Wolves

Wolves

Premier League • England

Wolves transfer news: Bruno Lage and board disagree over Joao Moutinho, with suitor waiting

Joao Moutinho receiving instructions from Bruno Lage

Bruno Lage appears to have a different idea to the Wolves hierarchy about what to do with Joao Moutinho, who is reportedly a target for AS Roma.

Moutinho has spent the past four seasons with Wolves. His vast experience has been pivotal to their consolidation in the Premier League. Across each of his campaigns with the club, he has made more than 30 league appearances.

However, there may not be any more to add. His contract is due to expire at the end of June. Therefore, this could have been his last season wearing the Wolves shirt.

According to Jornal De Noticias in his native Portugal, there is a chance he could still stay. Per the report, head coach Lage has asked Wolves to keep his compatriot.

Despite this, senior figures at the club believe they should have other priorities in midfield. They could move the 35-year-old on and rejuvenate the ranks.

If that was to be the case, Moutinho would depart Molineux with 176 appearances under his belt. He contributed five goals and 23 assists from them.

Unless Lage gets his way, it could soon be time for the former Sporting, Porto and Monaco man to find a new club. And Jornal De Noticias have some clues about who that might be.

They claim Moutinho is once again of interest to his near-namesake Jose Mourinho at Roma. The Serie A side were linked with him in January.

Still searching for new midfielders, they could go back in for Moutinho. If successful, they would reunite him with his former Wolves teammate Rui Patricio.

Patricio has been a success in Rome, helping his new club win the Europa Conference League this season. Moutinho would hope to make a similar impression if that was to be his destination.

Alternatively, he could try to convince the Wolves hierarchy of his worth again. Lage certainly believes in him, after giving him 39 appearances this season.

It will soon become clear whether they can continue working together or not.

Joao Moutinho would still benefit either side

Morgan Sanson, Aston Villa, April 2022.

Even if his best years may be behind him, it isn’t difficult to see why Lage would want Moutinho to stay.

His experience can still be important for Wolves. What’s more, the risk of Ruben Neves leaving means they need some kind of continuity in midfield.

Moutinho could provide the stability they need, so a one-year extension is worth considering.

However, he may find the Roma route tempting. They do need at least one midfielder to turn a Conference League-winning squad into one capable of aiming higher.

Moutinho may not be the most glamorous name they pursue, but neither was Patricio in theory and he has done well.

As seen by interest in Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic, too, Mourinho isn’t afraid to target players over 30. Therefore, Moutinho might be able to expect a call from the former Chelsea coach ahead of a possible first taste of Serie A.

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