Wolverhampton Wanderers worry that one of their key players may decide to depart this summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers could be in for a summer of rebuilding ahead as Vitor Pereira’s side look to build on an impressive end to the season amidst rumours linking big-name stars with transfers away from the club.
Fans may have accepted by now that talisman Matheus Cunha is set to depart when the transfer window opens on Sunday, with Manchester United reportedly in the final stages of securing a transfer for the Brazilian international. A release clause fee of £62.5m will come as a consolation to the Old Gold, who negotiated the handsome sum when Cunha signed a new contract at Molineux in February.
Matters could be complicated for the West Midlands outfit if further key members of the squad decide to follow suit and depart Molineux despite the club’s strong end to the season, amidst reports that another Wolves star could be tempted by a lucrative move to a Champions League side.
Wolves key man is a target for Champions League giants
An exclusive by Football Insider has revealed that Wolves captain Nelson Semedo could depart Molineux in what would be a crushing blow for head coach Pereira and his side. With his contract set to expire on June 30, attempts by the club to sign him to a new deal haven’t materialised and Turkish champions Galatasaray are reportedly plotting a move on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old Portuguese international right-back arrived from Barcelona for £37m in 2020, and has been a consistent performer in 182 matches for Wanderers. Blessed with blistering pace and tremendous athleticism, Semedo previously played at European giants Benfica and Barcelona, but has enjoyed the prime of his career at Molineux.
Semedo was made Wolves skipper earlier this season after Mario Lemina was stripped of the captaincy, but the temptation of Champions League football coupled with reports he may have to take a pay cut to remain at Molineux have meant that an exit for Semedo has become a possibility.
Wolves would have a difficult task replacing Nelson Semedo
Not only is Semedo a virtual ever-present for Wolves - he has started 158 out of 172 Premier League matches since his arrival - he is the club captain, and such a vital role within the dressing room would be difficult to replace. The Old Gold have 10 native Portuguese speakers in the squad, with multiple stars from both the Portugal and Brazil national teams, and so the role of Semedo is an important one in integrating these young foreign players into the side. His experience is also priceless, having played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
To lose such an important figure for nothing would be difficult for Pereira and the club to take, and replacing Semedo’s influence both on and off the pitch could prove one of the hardest tasks of the summer. A replacement at right-back could add to an extensive list of transfer targets at Molineux, with rumours linking the club with Liverpool gem Harvey Elliott and Lazio striker Taty Castellanos among others. How the Old Gold will line up come August will be intriguing to find out.
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