Chiquinho revealed that Wolverhampton Wanderers were not in favor of his move to Sporting in 2024.
Saturday edition of record has published an interview with the FC Alverca player, who talks about his time at Molineux.
Wolves signed the winger from Estoril Praia in January 2022 for a reported fee of £2.9m excluding bonuses.
He played 203 minutes in eight Premier League matches in the second half of the 2021/22 season and provided three assists.
The Record asked the 26-year-old how his move to Wolves shaped up. Responding to that he said: "In January [2022]I had a game against FC Porto. We were winning 2-0, but for them it ended 3-2. I felt I could give more and the next day I found out about the conversation.
"Three days later, I was being called up for a Premier League game. I spent most of the game watching in the stands!"
conflict over wolves
The Portuguese player suffered a serious injury in a pre-season friendly match in July 2022, which kept him sidelined for almost a year. This meant he had to miss the 2022/23 season.
After regaining full fitness, Chiquinho was unable to find a place in the Premier League team, sending him on a season-long loan deal to Stoke City in July 2023. Wolves recalled him after playing just four times for the Potters.
However, he had no place at Molineux as the English club immediately sent him on loan again to Famalicão in September 2023. Wolves had him spend last season on loan at RCD Mallorca and before that, Sporting wanted to sign him.
Sporting wanted Chiquinho
In July 2024, Sport Witness news broadcast from portugal Lions' interest in the attacker. Gary O'Neill was Wolves manager at the time and included Chiquinho in his pre-season squad.
Record were curious to know why he arrived at Mallorca instead of the Portuguese club. While answering this, he openly explained why his move towards sporting did not take place.
"Sporting, Mallorca, several clubs were interested," Chiquinho explained.
"I was having a good pre-season but the manager didn't want to let me go, saying I would be an important player. But it got to a point where neither I nor Wolverhampton agreed.
"I came to Mallorca in the last days of the transfer window and, because my mind was a little more here than here, I decided to go."
Our take: Wolves mistake halted Sporting move
Chiquinho's contract at Wolves expired at the end of the previous season and he was left as a free agent. This allowed Alvarca to sign for free in July 2025.
The Premier League team could perhaps earn a fee through its sale to Sporting in the summer of 2024.
However, their decision not to let him join the Primeira Liga team now feels like a mistake. The move could have benefited all parties, or at least Wolves and the player.
