Wolves forward Goncalo Guedes is set to make a loan switch to Spanish side Villarreal.
The winger, who Wolves signed from Valencia in the summer of 2022 for £27.5million, spent the second half of last season on loan at Benfica before rejoining the Portuguese side on a season-long loan this campaign.
Wolves did not have a recall clause in the loan agreement, meaning Guedes needed Benfica to agree to terminate his loan, in order for him to make another move.
After struggling for game time this season and making just 14 appearances in all competitions, Benfica have now agreed to cut the loan short and Villarreal have agreed terms with Wolves on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The move is expected to be completed once a medical is done and it will not include a buy option in the loan deal.
Villarreal will also pay Guedes’ full wages for the rest of the season.
The move will allow Guedes to join up with his former Valencia head coach Marcelino, who took over at Villarreal for a second time in November.
Guedes signed a five year deal at Wolves when he joined in 2022, meaning when he returns to the club in the summer his deal will still last until 2027
His arrival came at a time when Wolves relied heavily on agency Jorge Mendes and before Matt Hobbs took over as sporting director.
Since then, Wolves’ recruitment approach has centred on players who desire to join the club but are not incentivized by other methods. They have also mostly avoided high transfer costs.
As a result, Guedes is unlikely to return to Wolves this summer and play a key role for the club.
Wolves will hope the forward can regain his form in Spain this season and draw interest from clubs prepared to sign him permanently, as the club attempt to recuperate as much of the £27.5 million paid on him as possible.
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