With Benfica reportedly interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers fullback Ruben Vinagre, there continues to be many stories about this chase from the Portuguese media.
Today, we see an explanation on why things didn’t work out for the 22-year-old during a loan spell he had early in the season at Greek side Olympiacos.
Manager Pedro Martins spoke to Canal 11 last night, and claimed it wasn’t the player’s fault that he only managed to make four appearances during his spell at the club.
“He arrived a little late. We had started the league and he arrived from the national team and from Wolverhampton with an injury,” Martins told Canal 11 (via Record).
“For two months he was unable to work. He had a hard time imposing himself. He didn’t go well for the adaptation, but above all for the injury.”
The coach also claimed to believe in Vinagre’s potential.“I have always seen great potential and the ability to be a fullback at the national team. That’s what I hope for.”
With things not going great at Olympiacos, Vinagre returned to Wolves to have his future sorted. His future was negotiated with Braga, but the deal collapsed, and he ended up being sent on loan to Famalicão.
The fullback started all games for the Portuguese side since then, and his performances were apparently good enough to draw interest from Benfica. Recent reports from the local media now say Wolves will demand €15m to let him go in the summer.
