As Jhon Arias’ life at Molineux begins, Wolves manager Vítor Pereira revealed the Colombian’s arrival feels more like the fulfilment of a long-standing wish than a routine transfer.
[In an exclusive interview with ESPN Brasil](https://www.espn.com.br/futebol/premier-league/artigo/_/id/15537992/vitor-pereira-cita-interesse-arias-desde-brasil-um-dia-vai-ser-meu-festeja-parceria-premier-league), Pereira explained been following Arias since his managerial stints in Brazil. The Portuguese coach faced the winger multiple times between 2022 and 2023, when he was in charge of Corinthians and Flamengo, two of Fluminense’s closest rivals.
_“I had my eye on him since I saw him play just a metre away, right there on the touchline,”_ said Pereira. _“After seeing him up close and dealing with the problems he caused us, I said to myself: ‘One day, this one’s going to be mine. He’ll be our player.’ And when the opportunity came, he joined us. I’m happy.”_
Arias often made life difficult for Pereira’s teams. In seven matches against the coach, the Colombian came out on top four times, including a dominant 4-1 win in the 2023 Campeonato Carioca final over Flamengo. Pereira only managed two victories over Fluminense during his time in Brazil.
Now united at Molineux, the manager believes Arias has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League. _“He’s not a kid. He’s a proven player who’s been consistent for years in a league with its own characteristics,”_ said Pereira. _“He’ll need some time to adapt, of course, but he’s a different kind of player. I know him very well from facing him in Brazil. That’s why I pushed for this signing.”_
For Arias, the Premier League debut will mark the beginning of a long-awaited dream. In recent years, the Colombian had turned down offers from clubs such as Feyenoord and Zenit, hoping for the right opportunity to break into Europe’s top five leagues.
His performances at the Club World Cup with Fluminense, including a standout goal and display against Al Ahly, helped elevate his profile internationally.
Shortly after the tournament, Arias reiterated his ambition in the mixed zone. _“Everyone knows I’m honest and transparent. Like any player, I dream of playing in Europe and reaching the top,”_ he said.
Despite having a long contract in Brazil and insisting he was happy at Fluminense, Arias left the door open. That opening became concrete when Wolves stepped in with a €22m proposal, [which we followed closely](https://sportwitness.co.uk/full-breakdown-of-jhon-arias-deal-all-the-figures-and-split-in-wolves-transfer/).
Interestingly, Wolves weren’t the only suitors. As former Colombian international Faustino Asprilla revealed to ESPN Colombia, Cristiano Ronaldo personally called Arias in an attempt to lure him to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr. But even a direct appeal from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t enough to change the winger’s mind.
The Premier League has always been the goal, and that dream has just begun. For Vítor Pereira, it’s also the start of a new partnership he once thought about from the opposite technical area.
Now, with Arias in gold and black, the plan is no longer just admiration: it’s execution.