Former Benfica midfielder Isaías has name-dropped a Wolves player as someone he would have loved Benfica to sign.
Isaías played for Benfica for five years in the 1990s, playing 125 games and scoring 52 goals for the Portuguese giants.
He has remained involved at the club in the years since his retirement, now endorsing club presidential candidate Cristovao Carvalho, and emphasising the need to get Benfica back to their past successes in Europe.
He criticised the club’s decision to sign Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios, naming a current Wolves star as the player he would have signed in his stead.
Sporting CP v SL Benfica - Portuguese Super Cup
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Isaias would have liked to sign Wolves’ Jhon Arias for Benfica
Everyone was impressed by Jhon Arias in the Club World Cup this summer.
The Colombian was the standout performer for Fluminese as they went all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea.
Speaking to A Bola, Isaias was asked about Benfica’s new signing Rios, and he had an interesting take: “He’s a great player, but I personally wouldn’t bring him. I’d rather bring in another player who’s now gone to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arias, who’s also Colombian.”
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Arias would be signed by Wolves shortly after the competition, and has looked great in a Wolves shirt since debuting with a goal.
Isaias clearly likes what he sees from the 27-year-old, and continued to praise him: “But in my opinion, I’d bring in Jhon Arias, who played for Fluminense , and as you saw now, at the Club World Cup , he really stood out and is a great player.”
Benfica also wanted Vitor Pereira as Bruno Lage replacement
The Brazilian midfielder has kept an eye on Wolves, who have traditionally been good customers to the Primeira Liga.
But it was Benfica looking to do business with the Old Gold earlier this summer, targeting Vitor Pereira as a Bruno Lage replacement. Thankfully, no progress was made to pluck Pereira from Molineux after such a short stint at the club.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira applauds.
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Both Arias and Pereira are worthy of the interest they have been receiving from Portugal, but both won’t take much notice, as they focus on the new season at Wolves.
This new admiration is just the latest in a long list of reasons why Wolves fans are so excited by Arias.