Transfer Centre

Benfica 'want to keep Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Goncalo Guedes on long-term basis'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 31 March 2023

Benfica 'want to keep Guedes on long-term basis'

Benfica are reportedly keen to retain the services of Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Goncalo Guedes on a long-term basis.

Benfica are reportedly planning to make an effort to keep Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Goncalo Guedes in the long term.

Last year, Wolves pulled off what appeared to be one of the deals of the summer transfer window as they signed Guedes from Valencia.

However, the £27.5m failed to impress on a consistent basis during the first half of the season, finding himself in and out of the team under three different managers.

Current incumbent Julen Lopetegui decided during the middle of January that he was willing to part ways with the Portugal international to free up space in his squad.

Guedes departed Molineux having chipped in with just two goals and one assist in 18 matches, with the club taking the opportunity to loan the attacker to his former club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Goncalo Guedes celebrates scoring their first goal with Rayan Ait-Nouri on January 7, 2023 © Reuters

Although Guedes has been sidelined since February 25 due to injury, he has still contributed two goals from his eight outings for the Primeira Liga leaders and Champions League quarter-finalists.

As it stands, the 26-year-old s expected to return to his parent club at the end of the season and his future at Wolves will be evaluated.

Nevertheless, according to A Bola, Benfica have already decided to do everything possible to keep Guedes at Estadio da Luz.

The report states that Benfica will either look to agree a second loan deal with Wolves or negotiate the permanent transfer of the playmaker.

Portugal attacker Goncalo Guedes scores against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League final on June 9, 2019 © Reuters

While there is no indication over whether Guedes will be open to a prolonged stay, the player is familiar with the area having started his career at the club.

Between 2014 and 2017, Guedes chipped in with 11 strikes and 16 assists from 68 appearances to earn a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.

With Guedes possessing a contract until 2027, Wolves will want to recoup close to the fee that they shelled out last summer to consider a sale.

The situation could potentially change if Wolves suffer relegation from the Premier League, Lopetegui's team currently one of nine teams that are no more than four points off the bottom of the table.