Manchester United have been handed a potential boost in their chase of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, as the Molineux side have made an approach for Sporting CP star Joao Palhinha.
The 26-year-old was thought to be on the radar of Manchester City, but the current Premier League champions have since seemingly switched their gaze to Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, leaving Palhinha in limbo.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Portuguese international racked up 27 appearances in the Primeira Liga this season, grabbing three goals in the process.
And, in altogether unsurprising news, it is Wolves who once more are sniffing around a talented Portuguese star, having made a habit of recruiting from that pool through super-agent Jorge Mendes.
As per The Telegraph, the midlands side have 'made an approach' for Palhinha, though no fee has been agreed with Sporting for their lynchpin as of yet.
Manchester United to benefit?
Meanwhile, the move could allow Manchester United to finally lay their hands on Ruben Neves, who has two years left on his Wolves deal and is not expected to extend his time in the midlands.
Alongside Joao Moutinho, he has long created a formidable midfield for Wolves, but in what is set to be a period of regeneration for the club following a disappointing end to the season, the sale of Neves could provide some much-needed funds.
Whether or not new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will have Neves as high on his wishlist as previous transfer policy makers did remains to be seen.