Bruno Lage has a big task on his hands this summer in order to revive Wolves after a mediocre campaign.

The trouble is that the Old Gold could lose a number of their most important players during the course of the window.

On the chalkboard

Ruben Neves and Adama Traore aren’t the only figures being linked with the exit door at Molineux.

Indeed, Joao Moutinho could also depart Wolves in the coming months. That’s because the Portuguese veteran has been touted with a move back to his former club, Porto.

This comes after Tim Spiers suggested earlier last season that 2020/21 could have been Moutinho’s final campaign as a regular in the starting XI.

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Steve Bull issued similar words when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week. The Wolves legend said: “I think he's done now, I think Joao's had his time here now and he's done absolutely brilliantly for the club and there's a lot of speculation and rumours that he's going back to Porto."

The midfielder is now 34 and although he still oozes class with his passing, it could be time for Lage to find a younger alternative.

The solution

One man who could arrive in the Midlands this summer is Tottenham’s Harry Winks.

That’s according to Football Insider pundit Danny Mills who revealed the midfielder could be house-hunting ahead of a potential move.

He commented: “He needs to get playing. I see him going to Wolves and Aston Villa. He was seen playing golf at The Belfry.  Let’s assume he was househunting. I can confirm he was there.”

Winks might not be the most eye-catching of players but like Moutinho, he is a safe pair of hands who can dictate the game from deep and keep things ticking over.

The 25-year-old is capped ten times by England but you sense he needs to move on to pastures new.

He only started on nine occasions in the Premier League last term but a new lease of life could be given to Winks if he moves to Wolves.

After all, with both Neves and Moutinho potentially leaving, he may find a home for himself in the middle of the park.

A measured passer of the ball, Winks completed 86.8% of his passes last term, a tally that falls ever so slightly behind Moutinho’s record of 88.4%.

When discussing the England selection a few years ago, Paul Robinson waxed lyrical about his abilities: “For me, I think Harry Winks is one of the best of the bunch,” he began. “He dominates the game, defensively and offensively he offers you both and his ball retention, the stats speak for themselves,” the ex-goalkeeper remarked.

Moutinho is fabulous at retaining possession and if he does leave, the Old Gold will need someone likeminded to take over.

They will also need somebody to bind together the defence and attack. Fortunately, the £91k-per-week Winks is capable of doing that.

Leon Osman commented previously: “For me Harry Winks is the first name on that team-sheet at the moment. He’s the guy who Italy had in Pirlo, I’m not saying he’s at that level yet, but he links everything up. He’s the guy who links the back and the front up.”

Winks has never really been able to take his game to the next level at Wolves but as those glowing appraisals tell you, there is a lot more to be extracted. Lage could be the man to give him a better platform for regular minutes.

AND in other news, Lage must complete Wolves swoop for "outstanding" 23 y/o colossus, he's at EURO 2020...