Bruno Lage ready to make two key personnel decisions with Roma and Arsenal interested – originally posted on Sportslens.com
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano indicates the new Wolverhampton manager Bruno Lage considers replacing two senior Molineux aces.
Lage was confirmed as the new Wolves boss earlier on Wednesday, taking over the reins from the longest-serving Wanderers coach in the Premier League era, Nuno Espirito Santo.
The 45-year-old tactician now has to make several important decisions, including ones regarding the futures of first-choice keeper Rui Patricio and defensive midfielder Ruben Neves.
Both players have been linked with a move away from Molineux over the past couple of weeks.
Patricio has entered the twilight years and could be moving to Roma while a host of top European clubs follow Neves with great attention.
Jose Mourinho aims to replace Pau Lopez and has already instructed the Giallorossi recruitment team to close the deal for the 33-year-old shot-stopper.
With Roma submitting an €8million bid, Wolves could offload Patricio this summer.
According to Romano, Olympiacos’ goalie Jose Sa is the profile Lage would like to see replacing the veteran Portugal international next season.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a trophy-laden three years in Greece after being deemed surplus to requirements by the former club, Porto, back in 2018.
Another name on the Portuguese manager’s shopping list is the Barcelona outcast Francisco Trincao, who made a name for himself in the Primeira Liga with Braga.
The tricky winger switched to Camp Nou last summer but has struggled for regular first-team opportunities under Ronald Koeman this season.
After recording just three La Liga starts in 2020/21, the 21-year-old is poised to reignite his career and a move to the Premier League is on the cards.
Though Koeman has yet to make up his mind on Trincao, the prospect of regular first-team football in arguably the most exciting league on the planet could be too tempting to resist for the youngster.
But the future of Neves is likely to cause Lage a sizeable headache heading into the transfer window.
Currently away with the national team, the 24-year-old is one of the most coveted midfielders in the Premier League, with Arsenal front-runners for his signature.
There is no doubt Wolves would like to keep hold of their Portuguese metronome, but Romano believes the ex-Porto star could be on his way out when the transfer window reopens for business.
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Author:markovrakela