Wolves hunting glory as Chinese owners follow scent of success

Surreal feeling

"For a lot of fans of my generation you feel like you are watching your game of Football Manager come to life," David Evans of the Wolves Fancast told AFP.

Portuguese internationals Rui Patricio, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, former Atletico Madrid and Benfica striker Raul Jimenez and Nuno himself are among the Mendes clients to become modern-day giants at Molineux.

"After many conversations, he convinced me that taking charge of Wolves would be the right step for me. The project was very challenging and was presented in a very enthusiastic way," Nuno told ESPN Brazil.

"He is my friend and a person I admire a lot. He is the best agent in the world."

Wolves' success has not been without its critics. Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani branded the relationship between Fosun and Mendes "not legal and fair" in 2018.

However, investigations from both the English Football League and Premier League concluded that as Mendes holds no official role at the club, no rules are being breached.

Wolves' reliance on the Mendes production line shows no sign of slowing down. The signing of Daniel Podence from Olympiakos in January took the total number of Portuguese players in Nuno's first-team squad to eight.

Earlier this month, sporting director Kevin Thelwell－the man credited for shrewd signings not connected to Mendes such as club captain Conor Coady and Belgium international Leander Dendoncker－left the club to become head of sport at New York Red Bulls.