BRUCE: I’M JEALOUS OF WOLVES’ SPENDING
STEVE BRUCE is “envious” of cash-splashing Wolves, but still insists Aston Villa can overhaul them.
Villa have led a number of clubs complaining to the EFL about Wolves’ links with super-agent Jorge Mendes.
It follows Chinese-owned Wanderers making a raft of superb summer signings to fire them top of the Championship.
These include 12-goal Leo Bonatini, who Villa couldn’t afford last summer despite the hitman being a loan.
Others such as £15million Ruben Neves from Porto, and Atletico Madrid loanee Diogo Jota, have also helped Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to top spot.
The duo, plus Santo and Ivan Cavaleiro, are all represented by Mendes, who sold a stake in his agency to a subsidiary of Fosun, Wolves’ owners.
It has left rivals suggesting that rules on third-party ownership of players could be in breach.
Villa boss Bruce (above) is watching developments as his own transfer efforts have been badly affected by adhering to FFP.
Ahead of Wolves’ visit tonight, he said: “They’ve invested well and bought well. How they’ve done it I’m not too sure. Let the authorities deal with that.
“I’ve been restricted with players since I’ve been here. I wasn’t able to buy any players because we’ve adhered to the rules. That’s the way it should be.
“Wolves have some outstanding players, who have played on a different level to the Championship. We are a little bit envious of that, all of us are.
“It is why the questions are being asked about how they have got them and how they are paying for them.
“But all I am really interested is how can we beat them, how can we haul them in? We will certainly try.
“A few weeks ago you would have said they were untouchable. If we can get a result, who knows?”
Victory will see Villa narrow the gap on Wolves to seven points with 10 games remaining.
It would also be sweet after Wolves beat Villa 2–0 in October, when Bonatini scored and the home bench celebrated wildly.
Bruce added: “They’re vociferous all the time.
“We bear that in mind for this game and let’s hope we’re celebrating and not them.”