This summer, Wolves may sell starting custodian Jose Sa to the Saudi Pro League; according to a source, Arsenal or Liverpool may be interested in signing him as a replacement.
Sa, 31, was selected in the 2021 draft to start at Molineux in lieu of Rui Patricio. With Wolves, the Portugal international has excelled and made a joke out of the meagre €8 million Olympiacos was paid.
But a recent report from the Sun suggests that Sa’s future might be in Saudi Arabia.
Jorge Mendes is rumoured to be Sa’s agent, and he may arrange for him to relocate to the Middle East this summer. Mendes is well connected to the Saudi Arabian football hierarchy.
Because Sa is under contract through 2027, Wolves will likely seek to recover a sizable sum if they decide to cash in. This puts them in a strong negotiating position. In fact, Sa just agreed to a new contract with Wolves in September 2023, which was eight months ago.
The Sun has identified three players that Wolves manager Gary O’Neil may choose to sign in Sa’s place should he decide to go.
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First, Aaron Ramsdale, an Arsenal target who is looking to join a team where he will be a regular starter this summer, is mentioned.
David Raya, whose £27 million loan from Brentford will become permanent at the conclusion of the season, has usurped Ramsdale.
Ramsdale will likely want to leave the Gunners as he enters his prime years and takes into account his ambitions to play for England, according to HITC.
Arsenal feels the same way, according to The Daily Mail, and will want to offload a number of peripheral players this summer. In addition to Ramsdale, players that were reported as potentially leaving were Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Thomas Partey.
Wolves are also expressing interest in Liverpool No. 2 Caoimhin Kelleher. Liverpool star and Championship standout also under consideration.
This season, the Republic of Ireland international has shown that he is every bit a Premier League player by filling in for
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, called Kelleher “world class” due to his excellent performances this season. And Jurgen Klopp was not shy about praising them highly.
Earlier in 2023, Klopp said, “We have the best custodian in the world and the best number two in the world.”
“I have always said [Kelleher] is world class, and he stepped up today, again,” stated Van Dijk. It’s encouraging to observe.
“At a club like Liverpool, we need a good custodian, and he’s a good boy.”
But if they can afford it, Ramsdale and Kelleher would be the safer picks because they have both shown their mettle in the Premier League.
Furthermore, Patterson has been connected to Liverpool as a potential replacement for Kelleher.
