Wolverhampton scouts assess options in Portugal – Familiar face adds extra layer

Wolverhampton Wanderers had a scout at FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Tondela on Sunday.

Portuguese outlet Record reported that Wolves were one of three English clubs represented at the Dragao. Stoke City and Leicester City were the others.

Even with relegation from the Premier League now effectively looming, Wolves are still operating in a financial bracket above most Championship clubs, which means they can at least look a little higher up the board before reality kicks in.

Porto’s biggest names were there, of course. Gabri Veiga changed the game after half-time and Victor Froholdt scored again, while Rodrigo Mora had another lively first half.

But those names come with their own problem. Neither could be considered a realistic post-relegation project. That is why the more interesting Wolves angle may sit just below that tier.

Other players that make more sense

Winger Pepê is an obvious place to start. He was one of Porto’s main sources of danger before the break. This was especially apparent down the right. Additionally, local coverage also highlighted his defensive work on a busy night.

At 29 he is no unknown quantity, but he does fit the type of player Wolves could still look at if they believe there is a market opening. He is established, versatile and still capable of offering real output from wide areas.

Alberto Costa looks more like the longer play. The 22-year-old right-back spent much of the match in advanced positions and was heavily involved in combinations down Porto’s flank.

He is younger, more attainable than the elite names in the same side, and still has room for development. For a club trying to rebuild smartly, that kind of profile often makes more sense. It is often better than chasing the headline act.

Then there is Deniz Gül. The 21-year-old attacker did not dominate the game from start to finish, but he still had a hand in both goals. He assisted Gabri Veiga for the opener and helped create the second, which is the sort of contribution clubs notice.

Young forwards who can affect games even when they are not at their sharpest tend to keep scouts interested. Wolves may well have left thinking he was one of the more realistic attacking names on show.

Goalkeeper stands out again – and Tondela offered other reminders

On the Tondela side, Bernardo Fontes was once again the standout. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, a Brazilian with Italian citizenship, saved a penalty. He has also been widely described in Portugal as one of the pillars of Tondela’s season.

He is under contract until 2029 and has already built momentum after being named Liga Portugal 2 goalkeeper of the year last season. If Wolves wanted one name outside Porto’s talent pool, Bernardo was the clearest one there.

Rodrigo Conceição, Brayan Medina and Juanse Rodriguez also gave Wolves something to think about.

Conceicao is a more practical full-back option. Medina brings size and a left-footed centre-back profile. Moreover, Juanse Rodriguez (on loan from Ecuador’s LDU Quito) remains one of the younger developmental names in the Tondela squad.

None of them carried Bernardo’s weight on the night, but all three fit the sort of market clubs monitor when they are trying to find value.

There was also a familiar face involved, as midfielder Joe Hodge started for Tondela. Wolves announced his permanent move in July 2025. However, it would still have given them a chance to check in on a former player they know well.

Hodge, now 23, is under contract with Tondela until 2029, so his presence added another layer to the scouting trip.

For Wolves, that probably made this a more useful evening than it first looked. Porto’s top-end talent did what Porto’s top-end talent usually do. Still, the more realistic value may have sat with Pepê, Alberto Costa and Deniz Gul on one side. Meanwhile, Bernardo Fontes stood out on the other.

That is a much more workable shortlist than simply writing down the biggest names and moving on.