Wolves Mulling Over Palmeiras Bid For ‘Dangerous Player’

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jhon Arias is edging closer to an early exit at Molineux, with Brazilian giants Palmeiras pushing to sign him after submitting a reported £21.5 million offer. The move isn’t over the line yet, but the deal looks increasingly likely to be completed before the Brazilian transfer window closes in March, reports Liam Keen of the Express & Star.

Jhon Arias Set For A Return To Brazil

A Good Deal For Wolves

One interesting detail is the financial side of the potential deal. According to Keen, none of the performance-based add-ons from Arias’s initial move to Wolves have triggered yet, which means that, should this transfer go through at the reported fee, Wolves will make roughly £6.8 million in profit on a player who has largely underperformed in England.

When he signed last summer, Wolves paid around £14.7 million for the Colombian. There were further bonuses tied to on-field achievements that ultimately weren’t met. That leaves the club in a position where a sale now represents a tidy piece of business.

Arias’ Wolves Numbers

From a statistical standpoint, Arias’ time in England has been underwhelming. The 28-year-old has made 23 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist across all competitions this season. Despite his technical quality and work rate, he has averaged fewer than two shots per game and has struggled to replicate the attacking output he showed in Brazil. That has been disappointing for someone who was described as a “dangerous player” by former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka. 

With Palmeiras keen to bolster their squad during an open Brazilian window, and talks continuing between the clubs and Arias’s representatives, all signs point toward a move back to South America. For Arias, a return to a familiar environment, where he previously shone with Fluminense. This could be just what his career needs.