According to reports from Calcio Mercato, Manchester United are interested in signing Wolves forward Diogo Jota.

What's the word?

While Calcio Mercato's initial report doesn't give any detail whatsoever aside from saying United are interested, their English version claims the Red Devils have been keen on Jota for some time.

The Portugal international has proved an incredibly shrewd signing for Wolves. Signed permanently for €14m (£11.7m) after initially impressing on loan, he's gone on to produce 40 goals and 18 assists in 116 appearances.

In that time, he's helped fire the Molineux outfit from the Championship to the Europa League, scoring 17 second-tier goals and even netting six times in Europe this season.

However, now could be the perfect opportunity for Wolves to cash in.

Bite United's hand off

There is an obvious danger in creating a precedent of selling to the top clubs in the Premier League, especially for a club like Wolves who are looking to establish themselves in the upper echelons of English football.

But Wolves might be able to hoodwink United here, because in truth Jota's struggled massively this season. He's scored just three times in the Premier League while failing to provide an assist, and has averaged less than one key pass per match.

And in fact, seven of Jota's career Premier League goals came in a 14-game spell last season, meaning the remaining 41 games have produced just five strikes. It's a purple patch skewing what at first glance looks like a respectable scoring record for a wide-man.

A hamstring injury this season has no doubt been a factor but ultimately, it feels like Jota has hit his ceiling and if Wolves wish to compete with the likes of United going forward, they'll need an upgrade.

For true Wolves fans only: How much did each of these players cost?

Compare his contributions to Adama Traore this season, for example. 11 goal involvements in the Premier League, alongside 5.4 dribbles per match - that's a truly elite forward who can help take Wolves to another level.

At the same time, with two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, Pedro Neto already looks capable of competing with Jota at just 19 years of age, while Nuno also has recent signing Daniel Podence as a potential replacement.

If Wolves can make room for one of those players in the starting XI, while lumping a divisional rival with a player who is starting to look a dud at the top level and picking up some cash for the privilege (Transfermarkt value Jota at £31.5m), then it's actually a bit of a no-brainer.