“Manager Didn’t Let Me Leave” – Chiquinho Opens Up on Wolves Transfer Dispute
Portuguese winger Chiquinho has revealed that Wolverhampton Wanderers blocked a potential transfer that could have taken him back to Portugal in 2024. Speaking in a recent interview, the 26-year-old reflected on his complicated spell at Molineux and the circumstances that prevented him from joining Sporting CP despite strong interest.
The wide attacker, who now plays for FC Alverca, discussed his time in England with Portuguese newspaper Record, shedding light on how his move to Wolves originally came about and how his career unfolded afterward.
How Chiquinho’s Move to Wolves Happened
Chiquinho joined Wolves from Estoril Praia in January 2022 for a reported fee of around £2.9 million, excluding performance-related bonuses. At the time, the transfer represented an exciting step in the Portuguese winger’s career as he prepared to test himself in the highly competitive Premier League.
Recalling the moment he discovered Wolves were interested in signing him, Chiquinho explained that the news came immediately after a difficult match.
During a league encounter against FC Porto, his side had taken a commanding 2–0 lead, only to collapse and lose 3–2. The defeat left him frustrated, feeling he could have contributed more to help his team secure victory.
The very next day, he learned that negotiations were underway regarding a potential move to England. Within just three days, the deal had progressed so quickly that he found himself being called up for a Premier League fixture.
Chiquinho admitted that the experience felt surreal. Instead of focusing solely on the pitch, he spent much of the match looking around the stadium stands, trying to absorb the moment and the scale of English football.
In the latter half of the 2021/22 season, he made eight Premier League appearances, accumulating 203 minutes of playing time and impressively providing three assists during that short spell.
Injury Setback and Difficult Spell at Wolves
Unfortunately, his promising start at Wolves was soon interrupted by a serious injury. During a pre-season friendly in July 2022, Chiquinho suffered a significant setback that kept him sidelined for nearly an entire year.
The injury ruled him out of the entire 2022/23 campaign, halting his development just as he was beginning to adapt to English football.
When he finally returned to full fitness, breaking back into the Wolves first team proved difficult. In search of regular playing time, the club sent him on loan to Stoke City in July 2023.
However, that move failed to work out as expected. Chiquinho made only four appearances for the Championship side before Wolves decided to recall him earlier than planned.
Shortly after returning, Wolves arranged another loan move, this time sending him to FC Famalicão in September 2023. The following season he was again loaned out, joining RCD Mallorca in Spain.
The Blocked Move to Sporting CP
Before his loan to Mallorca materialised, there was strong interest from Sporting CP in the summer of 2024. At the time, Wolves were managed by Gary O’Neil, who included Chiquinho in the club’s pre-season squad.
According to the winger, Sporting were not the only team monitoring his situation. Several clubs across Europe were considering making a move for him.
Despite that interest, Wolves initially refused to sanction a transfer. Chiquinho revealed that the manager wanted him to remain with the squad, believing he could play an important role in the team during the upcoming season.
However, as the transfer window progressed, it became clear that the player and the club were no longer fully aligned regarding his future.
Eventually, Mallorca made a late approach during the final days of the transfer window. By that point, Chiquinho admitted his mindset had already shifted toward leaving England, making the Spanish club’s offer the most realistic solution.
He ultimately accepted the move to Mallorca instead of returning to Portugal with Sporting.
Wolves Missed a Potential Transfer Fee
Chiquinho’s contract with Wolves eventually expired at the end of the 2024/25 season. With no renewal agreement reached, he left the club as a free agent.
That situation allowed Portuguese side FC Alverca to sign him without paying a transfer fee in July 2025.
Looking back, Wolves’ decision to block the Sporting transfer in 2024 now appears questionable. Had the deal gone through, the Premier League club could have earned a transfer fee while the player would have secured a move that suited him.
Instead, the situation ultimately resulted in Wolves losing the player for nothing a year later.
For Chiquinho, the experience reflects the unpredictable nature of football careers—where injuries, managerial decisions, and timing can dramatically shape a player’s path.