Sources: Wolves make move to sign Palhinha after Lage green light
Wolves have made an approach for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha, Football Insider can reveal.
The central midfielder is the number one priority for the Midlands club this summer as they look to rebuild under new manager Bruno Lage.
A Wolves source has told Football Insider that the club have registered their interest in a deal for Palhinha.
Lage has given the green light to pursue the Portugal international and is said to be a huge admirer of his qualities.
Palhinha is not seen as a direct replacement for Ruben Neves, who is likely to be sold by Wolves this summer.
He is a 6ft 3in defensive midfielder who can win the ball, hold the midfield, is dominant aerially and can also fill in at centre-back.
Nevertheless, the Midlands outfit need to sell before they can buy and it could take the departure of Neves to raise the funds needed to finalise a deal for his countryman.
Palhinha was a dominant figure in the Sporting midfield last term as they beat big guns Porto and Benfica to the title.
He returned from a two-year loan spell at Braga to make 28 league starts among 38 appearances in midfield.
That was enough to secure him a place in the Portugal squad at this summer's Euros.
Wolves have become renowned over the past four years for signing top Portugese talent and that could now continue under Lage.