Kieran Trippier exit edges closer as Wolves line up replacement signing – verdict

Kieran Trippier is seemingly closer to ripping up his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract as Rodrigo Pinheiro is eyed by the Molineux club.

Reports have indicated that the 23-year-old right-back is very close to joining the Old Gold side and becoming Cesar Peixoto’s first signing.

Pinheiro was a regular for Famalicao throughout the 2025-26 campaign and made 29 appearances as they finished fifth in the top-flight.

However, this news almost certainly indicates that Trippier is on his way out of Wolves, just days after officially signing for the club.

The former England international is reportedly furious over the controversial sacking of Rob Edwards on Thursday, and is considering ripping up his contract.

Peixoto is expected to replace the 43-year-old in the dugout ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Rodrigo Pinheiro is surely a Kieran Trippier replacement

If Wolves complete the signing of Pinheiro, it will mean that they have five right-backs on their books.

Jackson Tchatchoua and Pedro Lima occupied the position for the latter half of the 2025-26 campaign, while Ki-Jana Hoever is also set to return from his loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Given that Wolves are overloaded in this position, it makes little sense to sign Pinheiro.

However, it would make sense if Trippier was leaving the club as it became clear this season that Tchatchoua, Lima and Hoever are not currently good enough to start for the club regularly.

Therefore, the 35-year-old is clearly close to quickly ending his time at Molineux just days after joining, as Wolves appear to be in chaos ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Who else could leave Wolves this summer?

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson has exclusively told Football Insider that Wolves are unlikely to stand in the way of Raul Jimenez if he wants to walk away from his contract.

The Mexican international is also being tipped to walk away from his contract after Edwards’ brutal sacking.

Jimenez established himself as a modern-day Wolves legend after he scored 57 goals in 166 appearances in his previous spell at Molineux between 2018 and 2023.

The striker was released by Fulham this summer after he scored nine Premier League goals this campaign as the club narrowly missed out on European football.