Can Wolves win the race to sign Renato Sanches?
By John Wozniak
Wolves manager Bruno Lage has signed five players this summer, but the club may not have concluded business as of yet. Could Lage win the race to sign Lille and former Bayern Munich midfielder, Renato Sanches?
Naveen UIall, for Sportswitness.co.uk, writes:
"Wolverhampton Wanderers are ‘close’ to completing a deal to sign Renato Sanches, according to reports."
Contrary to Ullal’s article, The Athletic’s David Ornstein believes Wolves have hit a roadblock in their pursuit of the midfielder. Ornstein believes the deal is 50/50, because of a dispute between Wolves and Sanches’ club Lille.
Sanches would bring a wealth of experience to Molineux; he made 15 Premier League appearances for Swansea City in the 2017/18 season. He’s played in the Bundesliga, and he was a member of Portugal’s Euro 2020 squad, also winning the competition in 2016.
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It’s important for Lage’s side to win the turnovers, and the 24-year-old could add bite to the Wolves midfield. During his time at Swansea, he won 59 duels, with a 58 percent tackle success rate.
Another point to consider is the size of the current Wolves squad. The club have three midfielders out because of injury. Pedro Neto’s injury means Lage is short in midfield. Neto hasn’t played since picking up a knee injury against Fulham, in April. Connor Ronan and Bruno Jordão are also injured.
🚨 Leicester working on deal to sign Ademola Lookman from RB Leipzig on season-long loan with option to buy. #LCFC trying & 23yo winger keen but still work to be done with #RBLeipzig. Ex Charlton, Everton, Fulham player contracted until 2024 @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/cVPHREBcJF
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2021
Recruitment is crucial for clubs with small squads, especially with the threat of COVID19. Lage has a battle on his hands to maintain the services of star-man, Adama Traore. Elsewhere, Wolves look set to miss out on Ademola Lookman. The RB Leipzig winger could be on his way to Premier League rivals, Leicester City.
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If the club completes the deal, Sanches could make his debut away at Watford after the international break. The Wanderers are one of three clubs without a point in the Premier League. Alarmingly, Wolves along with Arsenal are yet to score a goal this season.