Nelson Semedo’s contract situation puts him at risk of leaving Wolves this summer and Gary O’Neil could land a ‘superb’ replacement for the Portuguese international.
Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo is currently playing for Portugal at Euro 2024, who secured a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on matchday one thanks to Francisco Conceição’s late winner.
The 30-year-old was introduced in the final moments of the game for Joao Cancelo and will hope to play a regular part in the tournament.
Gary O’Neil will be conflicted about his hopes for Semedo, as while he wants him to have a successful summer with his country, he’d ideally like to keep ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Nelson Semedo’s contract situation at Wolves
Wolves face a very delicate situation with Semedo’s contract at Molineux this summer.
He was one of O’Neil’s most impressive players last term as the former Barcelona man featured 36 times in the Premier League and was a constant source of energy and class down the right flank.
Signed from Barca for £37 million in 2020, it hasn’t been the easiest time for Semedo at Molineux but O’Neil has unlocked the best out of him and that makes the current situation a difficult one to navigate.
With his current contract expiring in 2025, Wolves can either cash in one of their most important players for a fee or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Semedo is currently the second highest earner on £80k a week, as per Capology, so shifting on a player who turns 31 in November with those wages could prove a struggle.
Regardless of whether he departs this summer or not, O’Neil needs a long-term replacement for the Portuguese star.
Joakim Maehle could be the ideal Nelson Semedo replacement
In England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark, there was a player for the Danes who impressed and that was Wolfsburg’s wing-back Joakim Maehle.
Dubbed “superb” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 27-year-old flourished as an attacking force down the right, recording two key passes, two successful dribbles, five ground duels won and an 88% pass completion.
Maehle’s performance on the international wasn’t alien to anyone as the flying wing-back has impressed previously. At Euro 2020, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright hailed his Kevin De Bruyne-esque assist as ‘one of the passes of the tournament’.
The Danish dynamo has gone from strength to strength since that tournament and following his move from Atalanta to Wolfsburg last summer, Maehle has become one of the best attacking wing-backs in Europe.
O’Neil likes his wing-backs to push high and utilise their pace to drive into the attacking third. Maehle ranks in the top 12% of defenders across Europe for progressive carries and the top 18% for touches (Att Pen).
This showcases his ability to wreak havoc in the opposition half, reinforced by his two goals and four assists in the Bundesliga last term.
Whilst most Wolves supporters wouldn’t want Semedo to leave, a move for Maehle would make perfect sense to replace him, although if his stock rises even higher at Euro 2024 that could prove difficult.