Wolves rejected the chance to sign Stefano Sturaro from Juventus before the midfielder finalised a move to Sporting Lisbon in a deal negotiated by Jorge Mendes, according to Record.
The Portuguese publication revealed on their website that Wolves were unable to meet the £17.8 million valuation of the player set by the Italian giants.
Record report super-agent Mendes had tried to transfer the Italy international to England at the eleventh hour but the Midlands giants baulked at the price and he has now agreed to join Sporting on a season-long loan deal.
Sturaro came through the ranks at Genoa before signing for Juventus in 2014, making 64 Serie A appearances for the Old Lady and has helping them to four straight league titles.
The 25-year-old midfielder has also played four times for Italy since making his national team debut in 2016.
OPINION
Sturaro could have made an excellent partnership alongside Ruben Neves, who has got his Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a wonderful free-kick against Everton. The fee is quite steep and Wolves are likely to have made the right decision by signing Belgian prospect Leander Dendoncker. The high asking price that Juventus had definitely put Wolves off bringing him to England but the club already have strong resources that they can guarantee on in their bid for future success. It would have been difficult to work out if Sturaro could adapt to the English game, with a much faster tempo in comparison to the slow rhythm of the Italian’s. Sturaro could have provided Wolves manager Nuno with the option to beef up his midfield with two holding midfielders, which would allow Neves more freedom to roam in attack and make a real impression on the Premier League.