Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly informed Sporting Lisbon that they are not prepared to negotiate the asking price of Chiquinho.
In sharp contrast to their activity during the 2023 transfer window, Wolves' hierarchy has worked wonders since the end of the last campaign.
Prior to Max Kilman being sold to West Ham United for £40m, the trio of Pedro Lima, Rodrigo Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen were all signed, each deal being warmly received by the fanbase.
Regardless of whether more notable sales materialise, Wolves are in a position where they can spend more money on fresh faces, a refreshing prospect after the frustrations of 12 months ago.
However, there are players lower down the pecking order at Molineux that can still generate a sizeable fee, despite not playing a single competitive game for the club in over two years.
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Chiquinho improves stock in Portugal
Not since May 2022 has Chiquinho featured for Wolves, the winger contributing three assists from eight outings in the Premier League for the West Midlands outfit at the back end of the 2021-22.
Prior to the next campaign, Chiquinho suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out of the entire season, and he then failed to make an impact during the early weeks of a loan stint with Stoke City.
Instead, Wolves found an alternative in Famalicao, with the 24-year-old going onto contribute five goals and four assists in 27 Primeira Liga appearances for the mid-table Portuguese side.
According to Record, Sporting Lisbon were left suitably impressed by what they saw and have since registered a firm interest in the former Portugal Under-21 international.
Nevertheless, the same report says that Wolves are not prepared to sell Chiquinho for anything less than the €6m (£5.1m) that they spent on the player when signing him from Estoril Praia in January 2022.
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Are Wolves taking a realistic stand?
Wolves officials naturally want to recoup as much as possible for Chiquinho, particularly when his reputation has been enhanced over the past 10 months.
In total, Chiquinho now has eight goals and seven assists in 42 Primeira Liga fixtures during his career, all coming for clubs outside of the big four in Portugal.
Sporting are now said to be assessing whether they want to press ahead with their interest, with a season-long loan and a mandatory buy clause seemingly a possibility.
Chiquinho reportedly wishes to remain in Portugal, as well as represent a club competing in the Champions League, and that is something which may have to come into Wolves' thinking when the player has two years left on his contract.
Darren Plant
