Agent Jorge Mendez (right) in the owner's box at a Wolverhampton Wanderers match.getty images
League Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers looks "certain to be headed back to the Premier League" but it will need to "head off growing concerns" about its ownership and the influence of agent Jorge Mendes in the club's signings, according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Mendes' influence will "concern" EPL club owners, many of whom rely on him for "key foreign players." Wolves owner Fosun owns a 20% stake in Mendes' Gestifute. The alliance is "causing discomfort," with a number of owners claiming there is "clear evidence" of third-party influence and that club ownership rules "need to be tightened up." Many clubs "relying on Mendes for players fear that they could suffer by causing a problem for their own recruitment going forward." The English Football League and the FA cleared the Wolves' ownership in '16. The Premier League rules "reflect those of the EFL." The relationship between Gestifute and Fosun "goes far beyond" simple shareholder agreements. Mendes represents Wolves head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, winger Ivan Cavaleiro, midfielder Rúben Neves and forward Diogo Jota (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 3/19).
