Fulham’s new signing needed fresh challenge to get his career back on track – Opinion

Another player who helped Wolves with their promotion has been allowed to leave. Benfica graduate Helder Costa moved to Leeds United last week, and his compatriot Ivan Cavaleiro has sealed a transfer to Fulham.

Cavaleiro’s arrival at Fulham adds significant depth to the wide positions. The 25-year-old joined Wolves back in 2016 from Monaco, under the watchful managerial eye of fellow countryman Nuno Espírito Santo.

The London club were pleased with their business with the owner Khan stating, “Ivan Cavaleiro is a great addition to Fulham FC.

“A top target for us for years, a top player in a squad that won the Championship two years ago”.

With Cavaleiro and Costa leaving the club, this leaves Wolves with only three forwards: Diogo Jota, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore. Santo must be looking through his resources to see who they could bring into the club and strengthen their attacking options.

Valued at €10 million according to Transfermarkt, Cavaleiro may find the drop down to the Championship a beneficial move for future interested clubs. He starred in the Wolves promotion-winning campaign, managing 9 goals and 12 assists. He was unable to back that form up in the Premier League last season, only registering 3 goals and 1 assist over the 23 appearances.

Cavaleiro will compete with the likes of Ryan Sessegnon, Neeskens Kebano and Floyd Ayité for a starting spot. With Sessegnon tipped for an immediate return to the Premier League with Tottenham, Cavaleiro could jump the queue and get the nod immediately, however.

Fulham do have the option to buy the Portuguese international at the end of the season, if they are pleased with his performances in their campaign push to be automatically promoted back to the big time.

Cavaleiro’s contract at Wolves does end next summer, and he will be allowed to leave for free next summer if a permanent transfer does not eventuate before that.

This appears to be an excellent piece of well-planned business for the London club, however, it now fuels the question many Wolves’ supporters are asking; with Costa and Cavaleiro gone, who is Santo going to bring in to beef-up their attack this season? As they make a push for another top 7 finish.