Wolves are likely to receive an little boost to their summer finances, with Bastien Meupiyou now at the centre of a potentially lucrative transfer battle.
The 20-year-old defender left Wolves for Portuguese side Alverca last summer after spending a season with the club’s U21s. At the time, the move attracted little attention. Less than a year later, however, Wolves could be in line for a significant windfall.
According to O Jogo, Alverca are analysing a Borussia Dortmund offer worth €12m (£10.2m) for Meupiyou. The package could eventually rise to €17m (£14.5m) through bonuses and performance-related objectives.
For Wolves, the most important detail is one we already covered from previous Portuguese reports: the Championship club retained 50% of the player’s economic rights when he moved to Alverca.
That means Wolves would receive around €6m (£5.1m) immediately if the initial offer is accepted, with their share potentially rising towards €8.5m (£7.3m) if all bonuses are triggered.
Dortmund move under consideration
O Jogo report that Alverca have not yet accepted Dortmund’s proposal.
There is competition for the defender and the Portuguese club are still assessing their options. Meupiyou’s stock has risen after a season in which he made 32 appearances and established himself as one of the team’s key performers.
The Frenchman has already spoken openly about wanting to play in the best competitions available. Meanwhile, Wolves have continued to monitor his progress throughout the season.
Earlier reports suggested the club could activate a buyback clause believed to be worth less than €1m (£850k). However, if Dortmund’s offer progresses, Wolves may decide that taking a substantial sell-on payment is the more attractive outcome.
Record sale on horizon
Meupiyou is now on course to become Alverca’s biggest-ever sale. The current record belongs to Alex Amorim, who joined Genoa in January for €8m (£6.8m). Dortmund’s proposal comfortably exceeds that figure.
Alverca president José Miguel Albuquerque recently made it clear that developing and selling talent forms a central part of the club’s strategy.
“It’s something that also puts us on the map and I like the idea of being able to develop talent,” he explained.
For Wolves, that philosophy could soon translate into a healthy addition to the summer budget without needing to make a single move themselves.
