Wolves have reportedly accepted a £21.5 million bid from Palmeiras for attacking midfielder Jhon Arias.placeholder image
Wolves have reportedly accepted a £21.5 million bid from Palmeiras for attacking midfielder Jhon Arias. | Wolves via Getty Images
The transfer window may be over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Wolverhampton Wanderers’ business is complete.
Wolves have reportedly accepted an offer from Brazilian giants Palmeiras for summer signing Jhon Arias, just over six months on from his arrival at Molineux.
The Colombian international joined with plenty of promise after a host of outstanding performances for Fluminense at the FIFA Club World Cup, however it hasn’t quite worked out as hoped. There’s always a chance Arias could eventually settle in England and find his best form, though it’s not looking likely at this point.
Arias is already 28 and should be enjoying his prime at Wolves and there have hardly been any signs of that. The attacking midfielder has scored just one goal in 23 Premier League appearances, adding one goal and one assist in the 6-1 FA Cup thumping of Shrewsbury Town.
That performance against Shrewsbury showed Arias certainly has capability, but then again it was Shrewsbury. With all due respect to the Shrews, there are many levels between them and the Premier League. Wolves need Arias to excel in the English top flight if he is to be worth the huge £15 million invested in his services.
Palmeiras’ Jhon Arias offer accepted
Rather than waiting for Arias to perhaps improve, Wolves may be better off just cashing in while they can. That option is seemingly possible right now, as TNT Sports BR reports Palmeiras have seen a bid worth €25 million (£21.5m) accepted by Wolves.
Palmeiras, led by long-term head coach Abel Ferreira, have just kicked off their 2026 campaign and are currently 10th in the Brazilian Serie A after drawing their opening game. The Bahia-based club finished second in Serie A last campaign, three points off champions Flamengo.
It’s hoped that Arias can regain his form in Brazil after he scored 47 goals and contributed 55 assists in 230 games for Fluminense. The Colombian could yet close the door on a move, though, if he decides he would prefer to fight for his place at Wolves.
Fluminense could join match £21.5m bid
There could yet be another twist for Arias, as former club Fluminense have first refusal on bringing him home from Wolves. According to the report from TNT Sports BR, Fluminense are keen on re-signing Arias, even if it means splashing out far more than they sold him for. As per the contract terms, Fluminense can now match Palmeiras’ £21.5 million bid.
In a recent press conference, Fluminense president Matheus Montenegro admitted he will exercise the option to re-buy Arias if he wishes to return to Brazil.
Montenegro said: “Regarding Arias, he is a player who left here not long ago. It’s a conversation that happens frequently. We learned that there was interest from Palmeiras and other clubs. There has always been interest from all clubs in Brazil, he is a spectacular player.
“In Arias’ contract, we have a player preference clause. We must be notified. Our plan is to exercise this preference. We don’t know the amount, but we have a plan in place to exercise the preference. I can’t guarantee that we will exercise it, we don’t know the amount, but we are planning for it.”
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