The transfer window is warming up to be a successful January for Wolves, with Vitor Pereira orchestrating some clever deals.
Wolves are on the verge of signing Emmanuel Agbadou, who will arrive on a 4.5-year contract from Reims and become Vitor Pereira’s first capture.
The Old Gold could also be boosted by their best player remaining at Molineux, with Matheus Cunha verbally agreeing on a new contract after a period of speculation.
Agbadou’s imminent arrival and Cunha staying at Wolves beyond January suggest supporters could enjoy a fruitful transfer window.
Indeed, after confirming the signing of Agbadou, Wolves have shown an interest in Renato Veiga, and the Chelsea star could be perfect for Pereira.
Enzo Maresca praises Leicester City target Renato Veiga
Interest in Veiga emerged on Tuesday, and this is because the Portuguese star has been dissasitisfied with a lack of playing time.
Across all competitions, the £25k-a-week star has only played 176 minutes in the Premier League, though he has flourished in the Europa Conference League with two goals in six matches.
During a win over Gent in October where Veiga played as an advanced midfielder, Enzo Maresca praised the 21-year-old for his versatility, being able to operate as a centre-back, left-back or in midfield.
“Tonight he played like an attacking midfielder, in the pocket for the first time of the season for us,” Maresca said via Football.London.
“He did very well. You never imagine Renato arriving in the box and scoring from the other side. That means he is doing well.
“When we needed him as a holding midfielder against Bournemouth, he was there. The other day against Brighton, as a full-back. He is versatile. Tonight he was playing like an attacking midfielder but overall I think he did well.”
Veiga only signed from FC Basel last year in a £12m move but Maresca’s above comments reinforce why Wolves have now shown an interest in the versatile star.
Vitor Pereira loves players to be versatile
In the early stages of his Wolves career, Pereira has shown he isn’t afraid to pull players from their normal positions.
As a prime example, Matt Doherty has flourished as a centre-back while summer signing Rodrigo Gomes was excellent as a left wing-back against Nottingham Forest, despite being used as a winger under Gary O’Neil.
Pereira also demands his defenders are comfortable on the ball while giving them freedom to attack the lines.
Veiga, who is a brilliant ball-player but equally great at reading the game, fits perfectly into the the Portuguese managers philosophy.
“I want to play with three defenders, not three centre-backs,” Pereira said before the Forest clash.
“They are different. One thing is one thing and one is another thing, because I want my defenders to have the freedom to attack the lines, to attract the opposing players and to open space for other players.
“It means that sometimes I need him open as a full-back, and at other times, closing as a centre-back or defender. I like to play with three defenders, not with a specific number of centre-backs, or I like to play with centre-backs with the quality to go in the game and attack. This is the way that I want to build my team.”
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