OPINION
It is no secret that super agent Jorge Mendes has been one of the most influential figures in Wolves’ ascendance to the Premier League.
The club appointed Mendes as an associated agent in 2016 and have since walked to the Championship title last season before beginning life back in the top-flight with relative ease.
There is little chance that Wolves would have been able to bring in the calibre of personnel they have done without Mendes, with players such as Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota becoming essential for manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
That influence has continued into the summer window with signings such as Portugal international goalkeeper Rui Patricio, and looks to be carrying into the January window as well.
However, according to Calciomercato, Mendes has now been in contact with Italian giants Juventus in an attempt to broker a January deal for Wolves star Neves.
Obviously such a move is unlikely to happen, with Wolves desperate to keep hold of Neves while the player himself has not expressed any desire to leave, but this is still a worrying development for the club.
With Mendes being both agent for Neves and the club, there is clearly a conflict of interest there, which is set to pose problems in the near future when the Portugal international does inevitably leave Molineux.
However, the fact that Mendes is attempting to manoeuvre Neves away from the club mid-season feels like a bit of a betrayal, with Wolves clearly to be worse off without him in their midfield.
Why can’t such a move wait until the summer at the very least, when Wolves have more time to work out their options and secure the best deal for themselves?
The fact that Mendes is ignoring that and trying to broker a January move instead is a bit of a stab in the back, and they must now look to cut ties with him soon.
They are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, and while Mendes played a big part in that happening, there is no reason why the club cannot go it alone from now on.