How Wolves have as many Portuguese players as Porto!

The Portuguese influence at Wolves is increasing ever further with a Premier League campaign ahead, illustrated most emphatically by the eye-catching capture of Joao Moutinho.

Wolves now have as many players from Portugal in their squad as Porto, arguably Portugal's most famous club. Wolves could even end up fielding more in their line-up on the opening day of the season than the reigning Primeira Liga champions. And that's not to mention the manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.

The influence of  Jorge Mendes is clearly crucial, with Wolves getting good deals for talent connected to his agency, Gestifute. Here Sportsmail provides a run down of all those who have made the trip to from the Iberian Peninsula to the Black Country.

Rui Patricio

Wolves signed the Portugal goalkeeper after he terminated his Sporting Lisbon contract following an attack by 50 fans on players and staff at the end of last season.

Sporting have officially complained to FIFA and want £50million compensation but Wolves are confident of their position.

Patricio, 30, has 73 caps for Portugal, winning Euro 2016, and more than 450 appearances for Sporting.

Ruben Neves

The 21-year-old Neves lit up the Championship last term following his £15m move from Porto. He set the tempo in midfield with his precise passing and scored six brilliant goals from outside the area.

At 18 he became the youngest captain in Champions League history and has won five Portugal caps, surprisingly being left out of the World Cup squad for Russia. He penned a new five-year deal at Molineux this summer.

Joao Moutinho

This statement signing that shows Wolves mean business this season. Snaring Moutinho for just £5m from Monaco is the latest example of the Mendes factor.

It will be interesting to see how the diminutive midfielder fits into the team, and his wages are thought to exceed all others, but for such quality the price is irresistible.

Moutinho, previously tracked by Manchester United and Tottenham, has won numerous trophies with Sporting, Porto, and Monaco, and aged 31 holds the third-highest caps total for Portugal at 113.

Helder Costa

The first Portuguese player to get a grip of the Championship and provide the path that others have followed.

Originally signed on loan from Benfica, Costa cut a swathe through the division with his penetrative dribbling and scored 12 goals in his debut campaign, convincing the club to trigger the £13m clause making the transfer permanent.

An ankle injury limited the winger’s involvement to a degree last term but the 24-year-old remains an important player.

Ivan Cavaleiro

Having experienced a tricky first season in England following a £7m switch from Monaco, Cavaleiro came into his own last season, providing a powerful outlet on the wing and scoring nine goals.

He can play up top but is raw in certain aspects and his tally of two Portugal caps is a reflection of that. Fulham are weighing up an approach should Wolves be open to a sale.

Diogo Jota

The other star of Wolves’ promotion campaign, Jota scored 18 goals from the wing and thrilled those in the stands with his daring style

Remarkably strong for his size, the 21-year-old originally arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid before signing on a permanent £12.3m deal this summer. He has played Champions League football but has yet to make his senior Portugal bow.

Ruben Vinagre

The 19-year-old is rated highly by Wolves and will be given a chance at left wing back this season, albeit in competition with another more established player.

He only made nine Championship appearances last season after signing permanently from Monaco, scoring one goal at Burton, but should feature more this term.

P.S. And in the Under 23s…

Pedro Goncalves

Boubacar Hanne

Signed last summer, the 20-year-old central midfielder made 30 appearances for Valencia’s Under-19 team the previous season. He had previously been with Chaves and Braga in Portugal.

The 19-year-old winger also joined on a free transfer in July 2017, having played 29 times for Pacos de Ferreira the previous season, scoring 10 goals. He is quick and can play on either flank.

Paulo Alves

Signed this month on a free once his contract at Liverpool came to an end, Alves is a 20-year-old attacking midfielder who will go into Wolves’ Under-23 squad for the Premier League 2 season. Born in Madeira, like Cristiano Ronaldo, he had moved to Anfield from Porto in 2015.

P.P.S. And out on loan…

Roderick Miranda

The 27-year-old centre-back probably doesn’t have a future at Molineux given he has now been sent on loan to Olympiacos. But the contract he signed after joining from Rio Ave last year runs until 2021.

P.P.P.S. The manager and his agent are Portuguese too…

Nuno Espirito Santo

The 44-year-old turned down opportunities with Champions League clubs to join Wolves 12 months ago and made an immediate impact, uniting a disparate group of players and instilling an attractive style.

To his squad he is demanding but personable, and has big plans for this campaign. Previously of Porto and Valencia, Nuno now has the chance to show his ability in the Premier League.

Jorge Mendes

A long-term friend of Nuno, his first client, one of the world’s most famous agents has extensive involvement at Wolves. It dates back to Fosun’s 2016 takeover and the 52-year-old regularly provides counsel to chairman Jeff Shi.

It is said that nothing happens at the club without Mendes knowing, he has a table in the directors’ box, and is behind the steady stream of talent from his home country.