Sky Bet Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing to lodge a bid for talented midfielder Joao Carvalho, according to Portuguese media.
Wolves sit atop the Championship table after twenty games, sitting four points clear of second-placed Cardiff City, but manager Nuno Espirito Santo is already looking at ways to improve the squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
The 20-year-old is highly rated in Portugual but is yet to make to a full appearance at Benfica.
Carvalho’s link to the English club comes through the Portuguese website ‘O Jogo’ who report that Santo and the well-known football agent Jorge Mendes are holding talks with Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira in order to complete a deal.
Interest in the young midfielder remains high with a number of other clubs interested in the former Setubal loanee, with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal one of the other more favourable destinations for Carvalho.
A move to Arsenal could prove a benefit with regards to players wages, club transfer fee and recognition, however regular opportunities in the first team would prove to be limited with the 20-year-old low down the pecking order at The Emirates Stadium.
However Wolves are thought to be the more likely destination due to the Club’s numerous links within Portugal. Wolves already have a number of Portuguese players in the squad, with Helder Costa, Ruben Neves, Ivan Cavaleiro and Roderick Miranda all on permanent stays, while Diogo Jota and Ruben Viangre are at Molineux on a loan-basis.
While it is not clear whether Carvalho would move on a permanent or temporary basis, a move to Molineux would be the better option for the midfielder should he rather develop as a player.
