In recent years, Wolverhampton Wanderers have gained a reputation for their successful recruitment of Portuguese talents, who have made a significant impact at Molineux.
One standout player who captured the hearts of fans is Ruben Neves, who played a crucial role in the club’s promotion from the Championship in the 2017/18 season. Known for his stunning long-range goals and leadership abilities, Neves left the club in the summer of 2023 to join Al Hilal for a fee of around £47m, ending his six-year tenure in the West Midlands.
But Neves was not the only Portuguese star to shine at Wolves in the past few years. Pedro Neto, signed from Lazio in 2019 for £18m, quickly became a fan favorite with his impressive performances. Despite battling injuries, Neto had a standout season in 2023, contributing 13 goals in just 24 appearances before moving to Chelsea in a £54m deal.
Another player who found success away from Molineux is Vitinha, who spent the 2020/21 season on loan from Porto. Despite scoring a memorable long-range goal in the FA Cup, Vitinha ultimately returned to Porto before joining PSG in 2022. His market value has since soared to €90m, a substantial increase that could have benefitted Wolves financially if they had signed him permanently.
With these examples of Portuguese talents thriving at Wolves and beyond, the club may look back with regret on missed opportunities to retain or profit from their impressive roster of players.
