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Wolves transfer news: Benfica to be rivalled by Serie A giants in Nelson Semedo chase?

Serie A giants ready to join race to sign Wolves defender?
© Imago
Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly face increasing competition to retain the services of Nelson Semedo past the end of this season.

A new club is reportedly ready to enter the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nelson Semedo during the summer transfer window.

In his fifth season at Molineux since a £36m move from Barcelona, Semedo is arguably enjoying his best run of form in the West Midlands.

Remaining as captain under Vitor Pereira, the right wing-back has played a key role in the Portuguese delivering seven wins and three draws from his 16 matches in charge.

However, as well as being at the age of 31 when his last major deal may be on his mind, Semedo also has less than three months remaining on his existing terms with the Premier League outfit.

As it stands, it is unclear what Semedo's stance is regarding a potential extension, yet it has been well-documented that former club Benfica are eager to sign the player on a free transfer.

Benfica head coach Bruno Lage on September 14, 2024© Imago

Benfica to face Serie A competition?

While ex-Wolves boss Bruno Lage is back at Benfica, A Bola has alleged that the Primeira Liga giants are outsiders to agree a deal for Semedo.

The report suggests that the extent of the cut in wages that Semedo would need to take to facilitate a move is the primary reason.

Meanwhile, Correio da Manha adds that Inter Milan are currently assessing whether they will make an approach for the Portugal international.

Simone Inzaghi's side sit top of the Serie A table, with Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian being used at wing-back in a 3-5-2 system.

However, with the latter now 35 years of age, Inter will soon need another option in that area of the pitch, even with Dumfries having committed his future to the club until 2028.

Therefore, Semedo may have to consider acting as backup to the Netherlands international if he were to take on a new challenge at San Siro.

Nelson Semedo of Wolverhampton Wanderers during his side's clash against Everton, on March 8, 2025© Imago

How hard will Wolves push for renewal?

Semedo's greater seniority at Wolves means that an exit for the player would be felt both on and off the pitch.

On the flip side, it is believed that he is one of the biggest earners at the club and teenager Pedro Lima was signed as his eventual successor last summer.

Promoting Lima to first choice at wing-back may be early at this stage, but Wolves officials may not see the logic of keeping someone on a high wage at the club when he will be 32 years of age in November.

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Darren Plant
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


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