It seems that Wolverhampton Wanderers are close to missing out on the signing of the Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patrício.
Despite the interest from Wolves, the player is now expected to sign for Italian side Napoli, according to newspaper A Bola today.
The outlet claims that the transfer is ‘imminent’, and the Serie A club will be paying something between €10m and €15m for the goalkeeper. This is obviously a low amount for a player of such status at Sporting, who has also won Euro 2016 with Portugal.
The problem is that after the recent attacks at Alcochete, the Lisbon club were afraid Patrício could leave for free by breaking his contract, so they must accept any offer before that.
A Bola has a paragraph only about Patrício’s decision, and it mentions Wolves.
According to the newspaper, the goalkeeper has chosen Napoli because of their ‘sporting project’, which includes a spot in the Champions League and the wish to win Serie A. That seems to be more attractive than the offer from Wolves, who have just been promoted to the Premier League and are still to establish themselves at the top level.
Patrício is expected to sign a five-year deal at Napoli.
It must be said, this story has been all over the place, going from one extreme to the other in both the Portuguese and Italian media. So it would be no surprise if it again turns on its head, an asking price is put at €30m and Wolves, or someone else, installed as the new favourites.
