Wolves enter contract talks with £27.5m stalwart following Vitor Pereira ‘conversation’

Wolverhampton Wanderers have entered talks with captain Nelson Semedo about extending his Molineux stay beyond this summer.

The Old Gold face losing Semedo for free on June 30 but negotiations have begun to try and convince him to stay. Head coach Vitor Pereira is desperate to keep his captain and has spoken directly with the player in a bid to persuade him to stick around for the long-term project.

Birmingham World understands Semedo is the subject of interest from the top flights in Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the USA. Teams from all three divisions have been in touch with Semedo’s representatives to inform of their desire to offer lucrative terms to lure him away from Molineux.

It could be difficult to stop Semedo from leaving for pastures new as a result, especially as Wolves have shown little sign of progression. Although Pereira has steadied the ship and guided Wanderers safely away from the threat of relegation, there’s still a very long way to go to compete with teams in mid-table and higher.

Semedo, signed from Barcelona for around £27.5 million in 2020, has racked up 175 appearances for Wolves in the last five years, scoring three goals and making 11 assists. The 31-year-old, 35 times an appearance maker in the Champions League during his spells at Benfica and Barcelona, is yet to win a trophy in England.

That’s unlikely to change at Wolves but Pereira believes the project is very much worth staying for. The head coach recognises the financial side could prove to be an obstacle but he hopes Semedo will decide against leaving nonetheless.

“Nelson is fantastic, that's why we need to keep him,” Pereira told our sister publication, Express & Star. "I have spoken to him and the club, but now they need to find the middle of the bridge. If it’s my decision, I want to keep him, but the money is not my money,” he said.

More than just a right-back

Not only has Semedo established himself as one of Wolves’ star players, but he’s also emerged as a key leader in the dressing room. The captaincy at Molineux has been a touchy area this season as Mario Lemina was stripped of the armband back in December and Matheus Cunha has twice been sent off while carrying out the duties, but Semedo has taken to the role brilliantly.

It’s difficult enough losing one of the first names on the team sheet but it can be particularly detrimental when a captain leaves. Semedo must decide just how important the Wolves armband is to him and whether it outweighs the opportunities being offered elsewhere. He’ll know just how much it would hurt Wolves if he were to leave.

Summer signing Pedro Lima is waiting in the wings if Semedo does depart but one more season of adaptation could be beneficial. Lima was recognised as a top talent in Brazil and that belief has carried over in his first months at Wolves, but it’s important not to rush the process.