Is Milan at Risk of Becoming the New Wolverhampton? Jorge Mendes at the Center of the Portuguese Revolution, Next Up a Defender? Numerous Offers for Leao and Future Insights

When the Chinese giant Fosun International acquired Wolverhampton, they also purchased a 15% stake in Start SGPS, the holding company of Gestifute and other interests associated with Jorge Mendes. Back then, the group was valued at 280 million euros, and Guo and his Chinese partners spent 42 million with the option to increase their stake to 37.5 percent. The Asian conglomerate has controlled the club since 2016. While there have been changes in the organizational structure in recent months, the ownership fundamentally remains with Guo Guangchang and Wang Qunbin. Why are we discussing this? Because there's a common thread linking this acquisition, the recently relegated English club, and AC Milan.

The Wolverhampton Portuguese Revolution

The direct link between Mendes' agency and Wolverhampton was undoubtedly the Wolves' 'Portuguese revolution.' Make no mistake: the reason the English club made it onto the global football market map and into the Premier League is thanks to their connection with Mendes. Ruben Neves, the late Diogo Jota, Matheus Nunes, Fabio Silva, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio, Goncalo Guedes, Nelson Semedo, José Sa, Daniel Podence, Helder Costa, Ivan Cavaleiro, Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincao, Vitinha, Roderick Miranda, Bruno Jordao, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Toti Gomes, Matt Doherty, and even the coaches. Most notably, Nuno Espirito Santo, followed by Vitor Pereira and Bruno Lage. Some became champions, while others were fleeting stars or flops. If you are Wolverhampton, you can probably accept becoming a vassal to the biggest and most important power player in the global football market. Understand this: Mendes is a genius, a revolutionary, and joining his agency is certainly an advantage for a player. But for a club? At what price?

Mendes' Arrival in Milan and His Relationship with Gerry Cardinale

Although Jorge Mendes is not the agent of Ruben Amorim, who is represented by a prominent agency like AS1, it is widely known and beyond mere whispers that Mendes has acted as a trusted intermediary and orchestrator of the coach's transfers. He managed the negotiation engineering with Gerry Cardinale, and we'll get to that shortly, but previously, he was closely involved with players arriving at Sporting Lisbon and even Amorim's move to Manchester United. Now, to Milan. Is Jorge Paulo Sandro Mendes from Lisbon the new sporting director? No. Is he the property's market consultant, the trusted man? Let's stick to the facts. A fixed fee of 65 million euros plus bonuses ranging between 5 and 10 million for PSG for Goncalo Ramos is not just a staggering figure but an offer no other club had come close to matching. Milan acquired Diego Moreira for 45 million plus substantial bonuses (around 20 million?) for Strasbourg. Were there other offers close to this? No. Another player in the Gestifute orbit. Will the next one be a defender? Perhaps Tiago Gabriel, represented by Mendes, or Goncalo Inacio, from Amorim's agency.

Leao's Stance, Offers, and the Future

And then there are the departures. Mendes brought Porto in for Santiago Gimenez, is working on Saudi destinations for departing players, and, most importantly, is trying to finalize the Rafael Leao deal. However, the number 10's social media post was clear. Only his lawyers and his family can speak and act on his behalf. So what now? The Portuguese super-agent acts by bringing offers to Milan. He did so with Saudi Arabia, which Leao rejected. He proposed the player to Roma, but Leao said no. He also said no to two Premier League destinations, including Aston Villa and reportedly Newcastle. Some are speculating about a swap deal with Manchester City (speaking of defenders, for Ruben Dias). There's Galatasaray, which has decided not to increase their offer, as previously reported. Leao has been clear: no direct relationship with Mendes, and whatever Milan decides will certainly be a matter for the club alone. And for a super-agent who is contributing to a headline-grabbing market. But that Portuguese revolution is something some have already experienced. Valencia and Wolverhampton, to name two. Not exactly clubs destined for the Champions League...