Wolves continue Premier League bargain hunt with Arias deal

Colombia international Jhon Arias, who has joined from Fluminense, is the latest shrewd bit of business after joining in a deal worth up to £19m.

The 27-year-old can play on either side and fits Vitor Pereira's style of play as an inverted winger.

At his age and with his experience - he has 31 caps for Colombia and won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense - there is an expectation he will make an instant impact.

Arias is not viewed as a direct replacement for Matheus Cunha, after his £62.5m exit to Manchester United, but will take the number10 shirt, signifying how important Wolves view him to be.

He is the second signing of the summer, after attacker Fer Lopez joined from Celta Vigo, and Wolves are still looking for a replacement for right-back and captain Nelson Semedo, while another forward to compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen is wanted.

Yet the days of the club spending over £40m on individual players have gone, with the £44m record signing of Cunha in 2023 likely to stand for a while.

Last summer, midfielder Andre - who played with Arias at Fluminense - joined for about £17m, while centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou arrived from Reims in the winter window for £16.6m and played a large part in ensuring Wolves avoided relegation. Lopez cost £19m.

They are 'mid-range' fees as Wolves look to pay sensible money for players who can make an instant impact, having been burned by big-money signings who have not lived up to their price tags.

Midfielder Goncalo Guedes joined for £38m from Valencia in 2022 but struggled and has been loaned to Benfica and Villarreal, while Matheus Nunes arrived from Sporting for a similar fee and rarely shone despite then earning a move to Manchester City two years ago.