Sources: Wolves set sights on cut-price Willian deal amid surprise twist
Wolves are pleased with the impact made by goal-shy loan signing Willian Jose and are looking to sign him permanently in a cut-price deal, Football Insider understands.
The striker, 29, joined from Real Sociedad in January on a loan deal that includes a £17.1million option to buy in the summer.
A Wolves source has told Football Insider the club are “pleased” with Willian, 29, even though he has yet to score in nine appearances since his arrival.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo values the Brazilian’s experience and believes the team play better when he leads the front line.
The Wolves hierarchy are yet to make up their minds on whether to convert Willian’s loan into a permanent deal.
But, in what will be regarded as a surprise to many including the club’s supporters, they are veering towards taking up the option to sign him.
However, the Midlands giants will not be paying the £17m fee stipulated in his loan contract.
The source explained the club will look to get Willian cheaper than that and are confident they will be able to do so.
The striker was brought in from Sociedad after main man Raul Jimenez suffered a fractured skull last November.
Wolves are set to make multiple attacking signings this summer amid doubts over how Jimenez will recover from his devastating injury.
Willian has a fine record in Spain, where his 170 Sociedad appearances have yielded 62 goals and 15 assists.
He has just one assist and no goals for Wolves from nine matches, which include seven league starts.
In other news, Wolves are planning to blow West Ham out of the water to sign striker – and Mendes is key.