Napoli are already pushing to sign a Wolves star this summer, with Antonio Conte's side repeatedly contacting super agent Jorge Mendes over a deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Wolves preparing for Midlands derby against Aston Villa
Friday brings with it a West Midlands derby that could not be more lopsided on paper.
Aston Villa — third in the table, 51 points from 27 games and pushing hard for Champions League football — travel to Molineux on Friday night to face a Wolves side anchored to the foot of the division with just one win all season.
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Rob Edwards' men come into the game off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, with Ladislav Krejci now suspended and Hwang Hee-chan still sidelined with a calf injury.
The numbers paint a brutal picture for the home side, who have conceded more than any other team in the division apart from Burnley and average just half a goal per game at the other end.
For Villa, this is a match they fully expect to win.
Emery's squad have the third-best away record in the league and have won all five games this season against sides occupying the bottom five.
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The Old Gold have already swooped in.
Villa's overall quality should prove too much for a Wolves outfit fighting against the tide. The visitors will also be mindful that their next two league fixtures — against Chelsea and Man United — will be far sterner tests.
Getting three points at Molineux before that run is absolutely critical.
And yet, as Wolves battle to preserve their Premier League status for as long as possible, there are growing questions about what happens to their prized assets when the inevitable drop comes to pass.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes in action with Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez
The Old Gold are already planning for the summer window as they reportedly pursue a deal for Charleroi midfielder Yacine Titraoui, but star engine room technician Joao Gomes appears increasingly likely to head out the other way.
As per Romano on his YouTube channel, as translated by Calcio Napoli 24, Conte's Serie A champions are in 'constant contact' with super agent Mendes over signing Gomes this summer.
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Napoli, currently third in Serie A and pushing for a second consecutive Scudetto, are looking to bolster their midfield options ahead of next season.
Gomes has emerged as one of their primary targets, with Romano confirming he sits at the top of their shortlist.
"Napoli remains in constant contact with Jorge Mendes regarding Joao Gomes, the Brazilian midfielder from Wolves," Romano said.
"Napoli aren't alone, there is a lot of competition, and they haven't locked down the player yet.
"It will depend on the coach, the cost, and many other factors to consider.
"But Joao Gomes is at the forefront of Napoli's minds."
Previous reports suggest the 23-year-old could cost between £40-50 million, but once Wolves are relegated, it is likely they'll have little for maneuver to ask for such a premium fee.
Gomes has made 24 Premier League appearances this season and has been one of the few shining lights in an otherwise miserable Wolves campaign.
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes
His energy, tenacity and composure in the middle of the park have not gone unnoticed. When Wolves go down, retaining him will become an almost impossible task.
With one of Serie A's most ambitious clubs now monitoring the situation and Mendes at the centre of negotiations, the future of one of Wolves' most important players is very much in the balance.
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The Old Gold have joined the race for a forward.