Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Vitor Pereira has addressed the futures of three of his first-team squad ahead of the summer transfer window.
Having retained their Premier League status for another 12 months, Wolves can afford to start looking at the market, which reopens in June.
While Pereira is eager to make a number of additions to his senior ranks, there will be movement towards the exit door with Matheus Cunha possessing a £62.5m release clause in his contract.
Furthermore, Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia are out of contract at the end of June and could plausibly depart Molineux on a free transfer.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s fixture at FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, Pereira was quizzed on the respective situations of the trio.
“I have the same information as you”
Wolves have their hands tied regarding the situation involving Cunha, it again reported on Monday that Manchester United are moving closer to securing a deal for the Brazil international.
Telling reporters, Pereira insists that he remains in the dark, saying: “I have the same information as you.
“I really don’t know. I know he’s my player, and he’s committed. We’ll see, but he’s happy.”
On Semedo and Sarabia, Pereira indicated that he would preferably like to retain the services of the experienced pair, adding: “Nelson knows we want him.
“Sarabia I like him, his personality and quality. We’ll try to do our best, but at this moment I don’t have the answer.”
What is the likely conclusion?
Despite Pereira reiterating that Cunha remains committed to Wolves, it is an open secret that he wants to sign for a bigger club. Wolves may also feel that they are cashing in at the right time.
Prior to Pereira’s arrival in December, a departure for Semedo felt cut and dried, but becoming club captain and impressing under his new head coach has given the right-back plenty to consider.
That said, his free-agent status means that lucrative offers will inevitably arrive if he does not extend his Wolves terms over the coming weeks.
Of the three, Sarabia appears most likely to leave. Now 33 years of age, Wolves would ideally not want a player of veteran status on big wages, and a mutual parting of the ways could be a foregone conclusion when considering that Sarabia has not played more than 48 minutes in a single Premier League game since the start of March.
