Wolverhampton Wanderers FC are not beating the allegations any time soon as the Premier League’s Portuguese contingent after securing the services of a 20-year-old talent from Portugal.
Rodrigo Gomes impressed last season at Estoril on loan from Braga in the Portuguese first division and attracted lots of interest from across Europe. His versatility especially caught the eye, with his confidence in both the right wing and right wingback roles providing a breath of fresh air for followers of the league.
Gomes made 30 appearances as Estoril finished 13th, scoring seven goals and seven assists. He finished as their second highest goalscorer and their top assister in the 2023/24 season,.playing mostly as a right back.
This performance caught the eye of Atlético de Madrid amongst others, but Wolves beat the Spanish side to agree a £12.7 million deal for the Portugal U21 international. He joins Tommy Doyle as the Old Gold’s second signing ahead of the new season.
The club are also in the market for a new striker to back up Matheus Cunha, who could also leave the Molineux this summer going by rumours. Young striker Fabio Silva never got off the mark and is believed to be on his way out of the club, while Saša Kalajdžić’s injury-proneness is making the club reconsider his stay.
Southampton striker Che Adams has been contacted but they are facing competition from Nottingham Forest to sign the Scotland international.
The Molineux outfit are also believed to be in talks with a proven Premier League striker, Michy Batshuayi, who had stints in Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
The Belgian did not make a big splash in both clubs but he was a part of a few title-winning sides in Chelsea. He also has Premier League experience which will help Wolves next season, especially if they lose Cunha as the rumours claim.
Batshuayi made only four league starts for Turkish side Fenerbahçe but was able to notch 12 league goals for the team, playing mostly as a substitute. It was not enough to earn him a place in Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad, however.
He is currently out of contract at the club and is speaking to a number of suitors including Wolves.
At 30 years old, the former Chelsea man also brings a wealth of top flight experience to the young Wolves side led by Gary O’Neil. He is also an experienced international striker, with 27 goals from 56 appearances for the Red Devils.
The transfer makes sense for both parties – Batshuayi needs a boost as he enters his career twilight and Wolves need experience ahead of what promises to be another tough league outing.
It remains to be seen what both parties will decide and if he or Adams will join Gomes and Doyle this summer at Molineux.
