Express & Star

Joao Moutinho jets in to seal Wolves deal

Portugal international Joao Moutinho is due in Wolverhampton today with Wolves set to tie up a stunning £5million deal.

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Joao Moutinho

The 31-year-old, who has been capped 113 times by his country, is poised to join from Monaco after agent Jorge Mendes brokered one of the highest-profile signings in Wolves’ history.

Moutinho is set to have his medical at Compton Park today with the deal likely to be announced shortly after.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo have played more times for Portugal than Moutinho, who will become the sixth Portuguese player at the club with Rui Patricio, Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro, Ruben Neves and Ruben Vinagre.

Moutinho will partner Neves in central midfield with Moroccan international Romain Saiss featuring in central defence in pre-season so far and currently favourite to start the season there.

During a glittering career Moutinho has won four domestic titles and twice finished runner-up in Europa League finals.

He was also part of the Portugal squad, alongside Patricio, that won the European Championship in France in 2016.

After starting his career with Sporting he signed for their Portuguese rivals Porto in 2010 before moving to Monaco for £21.5m in 2013.

In the past five years Moutinho has played 211 times for Monaco, scoring 11 goals and winning Ligue 1 in 2016/17.

The 5ft 7in midfielder penned a two-and-a-half year contract with the French club in March and played three times at the recent World Cup for Portugal, starting against Spain and Morocco and coming off the bench against Iran.

A forward, a left wing-back and another central midfielder are thought to be on Wolves’ shopping list as they eye up making a big impact in the top flight.