90min

Nuno Espirito Santo 'Stalling' on New Wolves Contract Over Investment Concerns

By Lewis Pangratiou

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is said to be frustrated by Wolves' lack of investment so far this summer.
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is said to be frustrated by Wolves' lack of investment so far this summer. / Pool/Getty Images
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Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is stalling on signing a new contract over concerns about the club's lack of transfer funds.

Nuno, who only has one year left on his current deal, is holding back on agreeing a new three-year stay at Molineux over fears that he will be unable to bring in reinforcements, while his mood is said to have worsened following the sale of popular wing-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham.

Matt Doherty has left Wolves to join Tottenham
Matt Doherty has left Wolves to join Tottenham / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

That's according to the Mirror, who add that Nuno saw Doherty as an integral and important member of his squad. Instead, the Republic of Ireland international has been allowed to join Tottenham on a four-year deal, in a deal that could be worth around £15m.

Wolves' Portuguese boss is thought to be keen on convincing his best players - the likes of Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota - that the club is continuing to head in the right direction, and will look to add more quality players rather than become a selling club.

There is hope, though, that the money generated from Doherty's sale will help Wolves pursue a move for utility Arsenal star, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Gunners have already rejected a bid of around £15m for the 23-year-old, but it's believed the club may be willing to agree a deal if Wanderers bid is raised to around £20m.

Maitland-Niles put in a man-of-the-match display for Arsenal against Liverpool in Saturday's Community Shield clash at Wembley, while he also impressed in the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month. His form has earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's 25-man England squad, ahead of next month's clashes against Iceland and Denmark.

It's well known that Maitland-Niles wants to play more regular first-team football, and that's something
Wolves and fellow interested party Newcastle are more likely to offer.

Maitland-Niles has been called up to the England squad after his display at Wembley yesterday. Wolves had a bid of £15m rejected last week.
Maitland-Niles has been called up to the England squad after his display at Wembley yesterday. Wolves had a bid of £15m rejected last week. / Pool/Getty Images

He fits the profile of signing that Nuno is understood to be looking for, while the Mirror's report adds that interest remains in Athletic Club defender Unai Nunez. The Spaniard has a release clause of €27m, but a move has not yet been made as Wolves' owners - Fosun International - want to ensure the club's books are balanced during this period of financial uncertainty.

It remains 90min's understanding that a new contract will be signed, however, before the 2020/21 Premier League season gets underway.