NUNO SLAMS THE NOTION WOLVES ARE FEEDER CLUB

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO insists Wolves are not a stepping stone for bigger clubs.

The Midlanders yesterday sold forward Diogo Jota to Liverpool for £45million just weeks after losing wing-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham for £15m.

The pair scored 23 goals for Wolves in all competitions last season, leaving a big void to fill.

Wolves have yet to replace either player like for like, although Liverpool defender Ki-Jana Hoever, 18, is coming in the opposite direction for £8m rising to £13m.

Nuno has also snapped up

Porto striker Fabio Silva for a club record £35m and midfielder Vitinha on a season-long loan with a view to a £20m deal, as well as £2m Brazilian left-back Marcal from Lyon.

The Portuguese rejects any suggestion Wolves are becoming a feeder club to bigger teams, saying: ‘It’s not my view. When you say a stepping stone, this is a player who has been with us for three seasons and has produced such a high level of performance.

‘So it’s not a stepping stone. Players that join us really want to play and progress with us. They are definitely not looking for the next move.

‘Wolves is a huge club and we are proud to say that.’

Jota scored 44 goals in 131 games for Wolves, helping them win the Championship title in 2018 before signing a £12m permanent deal from Atletico Madrid after a season on loan.

Nuno, whose side host Manchester City in the Premier League tomorrow night, believes Liverpool is the perfect move for Jota and that it is one that benefits all parties.

‘It’s good for Liverpool because Jurgen (Klopp) is getting a very good player and a fantastic boy and, for us, Ki is a player with a big future ahead of him,’ he said.

‘At the same time, we have the money that we hope can provide us with better players. We did the deal because we believe that is good for everybody.’