Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Lille midfielder Renato Sanches as new manager Bruno Lage looks to bolster his engine room options.

What's the story?

According to reports from Portugal (via BBC Sport), the Midlands outfit are the 'most interested' party in the highly-rated 24-year-old and are also reportedly in the best position to sign him.

Sanches was heavily linked with a summer move before an injury ended plans he had to depart the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but with the winter window fast approaching, an imminent exit could be on the cards.

He'd transform Wolves

The Portugal international has already experienced several highs and lows in his short career after bursting onto the scene with boyhood club Benfica after making his first-team debut back in 2015.

His impressive performances at club level saw Sanches make six appearances throughout his nation's victorious run on their way to claim the trophy, resulting in him being named Young Player of the Tournament and winning the Golden Boy award.

A big-money move to Bayern Munich followed, but the youngster struggled to find his best form under the immense pressure that playing for the Bavarian giants brings.

Sanches then joined up with Swansea City for the 2017/18 campaign in an attempt to get his career back on track, yet things just went from bad to worse for the £47,000-per-week beast in south Wales.

He made just 12 Premier League appearances for the Swans before heading back to Munich, and many pundits, journalists and fans alike understandably questioned whether the box-to-box dynamo would ever fulfil his potential.

However, his second stint at the Allianz Arena was slightly more fruitful. Although he only scored two goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances, Sanches impressed several onlookers with his performances both in training and on the pitch.

Former Bayern boss Niko Kovac heaped praise on the midfielder by comparing him to German legend Lothar Matthaus, saying to ​Sky Sports: "Renato has an exceptionally good technique, very good speed and a great body

"It's true that people fly off him left and right - just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus. I'm delighted for Renato - I said yesterday that he was excellent in pre-season, and it wouldn't be long before he plays."

But he struggled to nail down a regular starting spot at Bayern, leading to his permanent exit in the summer of 2019. And it's in Lille where Sanches has truly begun to resurrect his career.

As per WhoScored, the Portugal international completed 1.7 dribbles per league game last term and 0.8 key passes while recording a passing accuracy of 85.8%, highlighting his effective use of the ball as he played a pivotal part in Les Dogues first title victory in 10 years.

His exceptional passing range, dribbling ability and work rate would have the potential to transform Wolves' options in the centre of the pitch, especially with Joao Moutinho now 35 years old.

It remains to be seen whether Fosun follow up their interest with a concrete offer, but Sanches certainly has the ability to take Lage's charges to new heights.

And, in other news...Bruno Lage drops promising Wolves update which is sure to have fans buzzing