Wolves are set to step up their chase in midfield enforcer Pele at Portuguese top-flight club Rio Ave, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claims that the Championship title winners are set to move for the 26-year-old after monitoring him for the past 18 months.
It is understood they feel he can make a big impact at Molineux next season, as the club gets ready for a return to the Premier League.
The report details that Nuno Espirito Santo’s are set to spend big in the summer and have the £9million-rated central midfielder in their sights, but could have competition from Benfica for his signature.
Pele is a defensive midfielder that has been a mainstay in the Rio Ave side this season, who are fifth in the Liga Nos table.
Good move for Wolves?
Wolves already have some talented options in the centre of the park, but are making the right move by looking to strengthen early ahead of the summer transfer window.
Pele has proven himself to be a midfield engine in Portugal and has an eye for goal too, chipping in with seven goals in his 36 appearances across all competitions this season.
He appears to have the physicality that would serve him well in the Premier League and a quick start to life in English football would be helpful.
His £9million price tag comes with some risk given the fact he has not experience in England, but has been plying his trade in a comeptive Portuguese league and Wolves have had significant success from investing there before.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Wolves’ long-term interest in Pele shows their firmintent on landing the Guinea-Bissau international and they are set to be busy ahead of next season.
However, the midfielder is still under contract until 2022 and there is no certainty on how discussions will go.
This Is Futbol rating: 4/10