'Deal completed' - Fabrizio Romano confirms £5m Wolves transfer now imminent

Daniel Podence is on the verge of leaving Wolves for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab after a full agreement was reached between all parties involved.

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports both clubs have now exchanged the necessary documentation ahead of Podence’s move to the Middle East. It was stated recently by GiveMeSport correspondent Ben Jacobs that Wolves had agreed to sell the winger for £5 million. That deal is now coming to fruition.

The Old Gold will lose around £11 million from the fee they paid to Olympiacos in January 2020, though Podence’s contract was set to expire next June anyway. A significant sell-on clause of 35 per cent has also been included in the agreement, meaning some further funds could be recouped in the future.

Al-Shabab are set to acquire the services of a former Portugal international with experience across three of Europe’s top leagues. Podence racked up 16 goals and nine assists in 108 appearances for Wolves but his best times have been with Olympiacos, where he contributed 28 goals and 27 assists in 115 games across two spells.

Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil seemed adamant a week or so ago that Podence would be remaining at the club but the several million offered proved too tempting to turn down. Wanderers also managed to sign the winger they were after to replace Pedro Neto, as Ajax star Carlos Forbs joined on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Although Forbs isn’t a direct replacement for Podence, his acquisition means this next departure won’t hurt the Old Gold’s squad depth as much. It’s a risky move to let another attacker go after last season’s injury struggles but the outlook for the campaign ahead appears far brighter. Or at least that’s the case for now.