Wolves to receive £12m portion of Jota fee in the summer to boost financial outlook
Wolves will receive a £12million financial injection from Liverpool this summer as part of the deal for Diogo Jota, who returns to Molineux tonight for the first time.
Jota was sold to the Premier League champions in September and Wolves are guaranteed a significant chunk of the fee due to the payment structure agreed between the clubs with Covid-19 in mind.
Wolves struck a deal worth up to £45million for the Portugal international, with Liverpool paying just £4million up front and a further £1million last December.
The Molineux club are assured of a further £12million ahead of next season. The deal was structured to combat the impact of Covid on finances and will include further instalments over the years to assist Wolves with their budget and cash flow.
Jota, 24, was signed by Nuno Espirito Santo when Wolves were in the Championship, playing a crucial role in the club’s progress. The forward scored 44 goals in 131 appearances, but was cleared to leave by Nuno last summer as he moved to adapt the team’s style of play.
In Jota’s absence, Pedro Neto has emerged as Wolves’s player of the season.
Jota returned to training with Liverpool last month after a knee injury and is in contention to face his former club tonight.
Nuno said: “I am absolutely sure that if Molineux was full of our fans he would have a huge reception because what Diogo did with us was amazing, fantastic, beyond words.
“He joined us in the Championship from Porto, he put his life, he put his heart here, and that can
never be forgotten. He went to a fantastic club, now he is healthy again, playing again, smiling.
“I wish him all the best. If I see him before the game, I will hug him strong and at the end I will hug him no matter what happens.”
Wolves have not beaten Liverpool in the league since returning to the top flight and Nuno is demanding a faster start from his team tonight. Only Sheffield United have scored fewer goals in the first half of games this season and Nuno insists the problem must be eradicated.
“The intention is always, from minute one, to be as good as possible,” he said. “Don’t ever forget that in front of you is another team full of talent, in every Premier League match, who have the game plan and the ability to be better during some moments of the game.
“It’s not only what you are able to do, but what your opponent forces you to do.”