Wolves announce shock loan deal for Barcelona winger

Trincao joins Wolves

Wolves have announced the signing of Barcelona and Portugal winger Franscisco Trincao on a season-long loan.

The midfielder, 21, joined the Catalan club last summer, and racked up a weighty 28 appearances under Ronald Koeman last campaign, although he only started three games.

As a result, a return of 5 goal contributions in 700 minutes does not really do his ability justice, and he will be looking to prove a point in the midlands.

Our second summer arrival… #WelcomeTrincão

✍️🐺 pic.twitter.com/kq6da2S2jG

— Wolves (@Wolves) July 4, 2021

Although it was thought that Trincao may stay at Barcelona this summer, the signing of elite wideman Memphis Depay poured cold water on that idea.

Barcelona’s attacking options for next season:

• Lionel Messi
• Memphis Depay
• Sergio Aguero
• Antoine Griezmann
• Ansu Fati
• Ousmane Dembele
• Martin Braithwaite
• Francisco Trincao#Barcelona #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/ozagvJsblC

— Team Camp Nou (TCN) (@team_camp_nou) June 26, 2021

With Lionel Messi a guaranteed starter, and Ansu Fati above Trincao in the pecking order, it seems unlikely that much game time would be afforded the Portuguese.

As a result, he has chosen to join up with Wolves for 2021-22, joining a host of young wingers already at the club including Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence.

“Option to make the move permanent”

Perhaps strangely, the loan move that takes Trincao to Molineux contains an option to buy at the end of the loan, according to the official announcement.

It is unknown how much the option is, although the generally reputable Tim Spiers at The Athletic reports that it is around 25 million pounds.

Wolves have announced the loan signing of Francisco Trincao from Barcelona.

Portuguese international forward joins on a season-long deal. Option next summer of around £25m #WWFC https://t.co/vYw1x7vvDQ

— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) July 4, 2021

Having joined the Catalan club for 28 million pounds (as per transfermarkt.com), it seems as though Barcelona are ready to take a potential loss on their young talent if he can find his feet in the Premier League.

The deal is perhaps indicative of the financial situation that Barca finds themselves in, with negotiations over a new contract for star man Lionel Messi taking up much of an already minimal budget.

Mendes pulling the strings?

Wolves have a history of attracting seemingly impossibly talented Portuguese players as a result of their connection with Super agent Jorge Mendes, who represents the top Portuguese players in world football.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on August 11, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

It was this special relationship that saw them land Ruben Neves, then a starlet at Porto, while the club were in the Championship, and has also seen the likes of Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Daniel Podence all join the club.

It seems as though Trincao is the latest player to benefit from the Mendes-Wolves connection.