Wolves are looking unlikely to complete a deadline-day deal to sign Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches on loan from Ligue 1 champions Lille.
According to PA Media’s midlands football reporter Nick Mashiter, the two clubs are struggling to agree terms over a permanent fee for Sanches if Wolves are to take up the option of making his signing a long-term one. As a result, talks are not expected to reach an agreement before today’s transfer deadline.
The Premier League side are also looking to bring in a new centre-back in the time remaining in the transfer window, but have been unable to agree deals to sign either Lille’s Sven Botman or Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car, as per Mike McGrath of the Telegraph and Fabrizio Romano.
Wolves Unlikely to Complete Renato Sanches Deal
Portugal Ace Expected to Remain in Ligue 1
Recent transfer windows have seen numerous clubs conducting transfer business in a more short-term manner, with a view towards paying full transfer fees further down the line in an effort to make player transactions more sustainable.
A consequence of that is the loan market has increasingly risen to the fore, even for players approaching the prime of their careers. Many completed deals this summer have seen a player sign for a new club initially on loan, with either the option or obligation to buy coming into play at a later date.
Wolves were looking to do the same in order to sign Sanches from Lille, and were keen to agree an initial season-long loan with the option to make the 24-year-old’s transfer permanent in a year’s time.
However, an overall fee to be paid by Wolves in the event of a permanent option being taken up next summer appears to be the sticking point which is preventing this deal from going through as it stands.
With hours remaining in the summer window, Sanches is expected to stay at Lille, where he made 23 appearances in a title-winning campaign last season.
How Renato Sanches Recaptured Club-Level Excitement
It was at international level that Sanches first rose to prominance in world football. The Portugal international had a magnificent tournament at Euro 2016, with his country going all the way and winning the trophy.
A move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich was Sanches’ reward, but his career in Bavaria did not go as either party had planned. The midfielder was sent on loan to Swansea for the 2017/18 season, but failed to reignite his career at the Welsh club.
Bayern sold Sanches to Lille in August 2019, and it is in Ligue 1 that the player has gradually built up towards his best level as he approaches his peak years.
Sanches once again excelled for Portugal at Euro 2020 this summer, leading to speculation as to whether another high-profile move was on the cards in the existing transfer window.
Other Wolves Incomings Not on the Table
While Wolves’ late attempts to sign Sanches indicate that their transfer business is not yet finished, other arrivals to Molineux may not materialise for Bruno Lage.
Sky Sports News are reporting that the midlands club are out of the race to sign highly-rated centre-back Sven Botman, also from Lille. The Netherlands U21 international is a target for Sevilla, with the Spanish club needing to secure a replacement for Jules Koundé if he moves to Chelsea.
However, Botman has started all four of Lille’s league fixtures so far this season, and the Ligue 1 club do not want to sell him this summer.
Croatian centre-back Duje Caleta-Car has also been linked with a transfer to Wolves this summer, but the player’s desire to remain with current club Marseille means any interest the 24-year-old is likely to be fruitless at this stage.
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