Former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Vitinha ‘would have been perfect’ for the club as they look to address their midfield issues, according to journalist Josh Holland.

The 22-year-old endured a frustrating time at Molineux last season after arriving on a season-long loan deal that included the option to buy for £17.9 million from boyhood club FC Porto.

What is the latest news involving Wolves?

Wolves may be forced to completely overhaul their midfield over the summer, with the futures of their three senior options firmly up in the air.

According to The Athletic, there is ‘an acceptance’ that Neves may be sold if a suitable offer arrives amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Joao Moutinho has entered the final few months of his current contract, and while negotiations are still ongoing over a new deal, there is no guarantee that he will commit his future to Wolves.

And Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport have revealed Lazio are eager to snap up Leander Dendoncker, who has just over a year remaining on his existing deal.

It’s claimed that Sporting CP ace Joao Palhinha, along with teammate Matheus Luiz Nunes, are the players on Lage’s radar as he prepares to rebuild the engine room ahead of next season.

What has Holland said about Vitinha?

Wolves’ midfield woes could have been eased if they had decided to make Vitinha’s stay permanent, though, and Holland believes he would have been an ideal addition.

He told GiveMeSport: “Vitinha, for example, if they bought him last summer, he would have been perfect. He would have cost a bit, but you look at him now, he's been remarkable at Porto.

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“And obviously, Wolves’ links with Portugal, in a way, that's a benefit because they can bring players in for cheap and then they can prove themselves like Diogo Jota did.

“Now he's at Liverpool, in arguably the best team the games ever seen, so you just have to think they're going to follow the previous methods.”

How well has Vitinha been playing?

Vitinha has thrived for Porto since returning to the club, registering three goals and five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, and his underlying numbers have been even more impressive.

As per WhoScored, the Portugal international has made 1.7 tackles, 1.7 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per league game this season, placing him in the top three for each metric amongst his teammates.

It’s evident that Vitinha could have been a natural heir to Wolves’ current crop of midfielders, and the club’s hierarchy may rue their decision to let him go.