Wolves sold Bastien Meupiyou last summer, but they are still in an excellent position to profit from whatever happens next.
As we previously covered, the Championship club retained 50% of the French defender’s economic rights when he joined Alverca. Now fresh reports from Portugal suggest another club has now entered the race for his signature.
According to A Bola, Galatasaray are keen on signing the 20-year-old centre-back. Alverca, though, are in no mood to negotiate on the cheap. The Portuguese club are only prepared to let Meupiyou leave if someone comes up with a fee of around €15m (£13m).
That figure is exactly what Wolves will want to hear. If Alverca get their asking price, Wolves would pocket around €7.5m (£6.5m) without needing to do anything. That’s thanks to the percentage they kept when agreeing the transfer a year ago.
Another contender joins the queue
Galatasaray are simply the latest club to be linked with Meupiyou after a summer full of transfer interest.
Borussia Dortmund were previously reported to have tabled a €12m (£10.4m) bid that could rise to €17m (£14.7m) through bonuses. Meanwhile, Napoli have also been credited with serious interest and a willingness to match Alverca’s €15m valuation.
Now Galatasaray have joined the list as they continue to cast an eye over the Portuguese market.
Wolves can simply sit back
Meupiyou enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Alverca last season, making 32 appearances and establishing himself as one of the team’s most reliable performers. They comfortably secured their Primeira Liga status as a result.
A Bola also point to the defender’s background as another reason for Alverca’s firm stance. The Frenchman came through Nantes’ respected academy and has already represented France 20 times at youth level. This gives the club confidence that his value can still climb.
For Wolves, this is turning into a very comfortable situation. They do not need to decide whether to activate the buyback clause previously reported in Portugal or enter negotiations themselves.
Instead, they can simply watch the market develop, knowing every club willing to meet Alverca’s €15m asking price is effectively increasing Wolves’ own summer budget as well.
