According to Record, via Sport Witness, Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a ‘formal offer’ for Benfica attacking midfielder Gedson Fernandes.
What’s the word?
It is believed that their bid has been rejected by the Portuguese giants as they are demanding a fee of at least €40m (£34m), although, Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira is keen on making a deal with Wolves work as they are offering a permanent deal rather than a loan move.
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West Ham have ‘agreed a deal in principle’ with the midfielder, per SkySports, but it is by no means confirmed as of yet with the above reports conflicting such an update. Wolves could still sneak in with a transfer offer.
Nuno Santo was reportedly in for the Portuguese youngster during the summer when the club made a €35m (£29.8m) offer as per the same source.
Traore alternative?
Fernandes has played the bulk of his short career to date in central midfield with Transfermarkt recording 56 of his 113 appearances in the role, but this season, he’s been utilised at right-wing in over half of the matches he has featured in.
His newfound position makes the possibility of Wolves signing him an interesting prospect as Nuno needs options behind his tried and tested favourites.
Currently, if Adama Traore were to get injured or suspended – or at worst, leaves the club – the system would need to be changed or a player would have to be played out of position.
Fernandes’ key attributes are more suited to a wide role with his dribbling and duel-winning abilities mentioned by Sky Sports. Last season in the Primeira Liga, he attempted 2.8 dribbles per game and won an average of 8.2 duels per match.
TalkSPORT note his threat from distance, claiming he ‘packs a ferocious strike’ as well as offering electrifying pace, which is reinforced by Goal, who state he is ‘technically proficient with an athletic build and an eye for goal.’
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His previous experience playing centrally means he offers something slightly different to the Spanish winger with Fernandes being compared to Paul Pogba and Yaya Toure in the past. The pair have always scored goals from midfield – something that Traore has only started to do himself this campaign after bagging five in all competitions.
Ultimately, Nuno needs strength in depth and the Benfica ace’s versatility hands the west Midlanders that in abundance – maybe it would be wise to up their bid to the £34m that is desired.
While in other news, Wolves could have a solution to one of their biggest problems as they are offered a bold swap deal involving Ruben Neves…
