Daniel Podence holds Celtic transfer leverage as Wolves see Parkhead target as urgent ‘solution’ to £10m problem

The Hoops want to land an exciting winger move but funds in the Wolves camp could hold a key

There’s talk of a £12m pricetag – but Daniel Podence and talks with Celtic could come with some leverage over Wolves.

The 27-year-old winger is said to be on the radar of Brendan Rodgers as the Irishman looks to beef up his attack with Portuguese flavour ahead of a tilt in the Champions League. Jota has left a void in the Premiership champions’ attack after his £25m move to Al-Ittihad and his countryman could come in to replace him, albeit the initial asking price set by the Molineux club is likely to see Celtic ask for a reduction.

Into the last 12 months of his deal already, a lack of available funds at Gary O’Neill’s disposal could provide a Parkhead boost. The Athletic claim that Switzerland international Nico Elvedi is one of their targets but even though the Borussia Monchengladbach defender is keen on the move, “Wolves do not have the funds available to pay even the modest transfer fee — potentially less than £10million ($12.7m) — that it would take to land Elvedi.”

They need to generate funds if a move is to get the green light. And it is suggested that “The two most likely sources of income remain defender Jonny and forward Daniel Podence.”

Interest in both has been limited up until this point too. But a ‘solution’ on either front could see them attempt to sign one of their top targets in what has been a challenging summer, amid financial restrictions and Julen Lopetegui leaving his role as boss.

So it leaves a few windows of opportunity open for Celtic to try and strike a deal. They are also said to be interested in other Premier League men like Kieran Tierney, Eric Dier, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Goncalo Guedes has been ‘offered to Real Betis’ as he is not a part of their plans moving forwards.

That’s according to Diario de Sevilla, who say the Portuguese winger is being touted around by agent Jorge Mendes who ‘moves him on the market’.

Reports yesterday indicated that Guedes was potentially being targeted by Betis before the end of this transfer window, with a belief the Spanish side could step in and stop him from joining Benfica on a second straight loan deal.

Diario now follow this up and say Guedes has actually been offered to Betis by Mendes, who is trying to find a new destination for his client.

The Spanish side have ‘received the offer’ from the player and his representative as Wolves ‘do not have him’ as part of their plans moving forwards.

That is why he has appeared on Betis’ radar, with Wolves open to a loan deal after he spent last season on loan at Benfica.

Betis are interested and their sports management, led by Ramón Planes, sees him as an alternative to Barcelona’s Abde Ezzalzouli, who is their primary target to reinforce the let wing.

The big problem is Guedes’ wages, which are ‘very high’ and would be difficult for Betis to match or pay thanks to their financial situation and salary limit. The latter ‘would overflow’ even if Guedes’ salary were to be lowered.

Thus, it seems difficult for Betis to find a happy ending in this negotiation, but the Wolves man has been offered to them, nonetheless.

Diario say Mendes has also offered the player to Sevilla, with it stated that he has done so thanks to his relationship with Wolves and their now former manager Julen Lopetegui.

What that means isn’t entirely clear, but we read it as Mendes being sanctioned to seek a move by Lopetegui, before his departure, and Wolves’ hierarchy.

Either way, the Portuguese forward is clearly being offered around and if he doesn’t return to Benfica, a move back to Spain could now also be on the cards