Wolverhampton Wanderers are ‘leading the race’ for Sporting star Joāo Palhinha but face competition from Everton and Leicester City for his signature.
That’s according to Correio da Manha’s weekend edition, who say Sporting have set a €30m asking price on their star man.
Palhinha was one of the key players in Sporting’s success in Liga NOS this season, playing a starring role in the defensive midfield slot.
His performances have earned him admiring glances from abroad, and Wolves, courtesy of their Portuguese links, have been heavily linked over the last two months.
It seems they are not the only suitors, though, with Correio da Manha revealing that Everton and Leicester have also ‘sounded out’ Sporting about a potential move.
They state that Palhinha continues to ‘add suitors’ and the Lions have therefore set an asking price of €30m on his head.
Sporting and coach Ruben Amorim consider Palhinha a key piece of the puzzle for their title defence but are not stupid and have set a price for him should his suitors come calling.
That price, €30m, could increase this summer though if Palhinha were to ‘make his presence felt’ in the European Championships with Portugal.
Of his suitors, Wolves are ‘leading the race’ for the midfielder and have a ‘trump card’ to ‘speed up the transfer’ in the shape of Ruben Vinagre.
Sporting are keen on a deal for the left-back, who has been on loan at Famalicao this season, and the two clubs could work out a deal including him and ‘expedite‘ a move for Palhinha.
Everton and Leicester are also keen, though, and have ‘sounded out’ the Lions about a potential move.
CSKA Moscow have asked about how much Sporting would want and received the same response as the Premier League sides, €30m.
