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Wolves have no plans to extend the contract of Joao Moutinho despite Bruno Lage retaining trust in the veteran midfielder, per Portuguese reports.

Moutinho was a statement signing for Wolves when they returned to the Premier League in 2018. He went on to win their Player of the Season award in his debut season. By the end of his second, he was rewarded with a contract extension.

Those fresh terms he agreed to are nearing their end, though. Currently in his fourth season at Molineux, Moutinho is due to become a free agent in the summer.

However, Wolves are still using him regularly. Since the appointment of Lage in the summer, Moutinho has started 20 of their 22 Premier League matches.

His manager remains happy with his work in the midfield. Despite this, Jornal De Noticias are reporting (as picked up by Sport Witness) that Moutinho is set to leave the club when his contract runs out.

This time, there is not expected to be a renewal. Instead, it could be the natural time for the two parties to separate.

Wolves have made no proposal to Moutinho, who instead may be ready to continue his career back in his native Portugal. He has not played club football in the Primeira Liga since leaving Porto for Monaco in 2013.

No potential suitors are named at this stage. But given that the 35-year-old remains a frequent feature in his national team – for whom he has been capped 142 times – he will likely be of interest to many.

Moutinho to continue career elsewhere

Back in January, he was also linked with a transfer to Italy, to join forces with near-namesake Jose Mourinho at Roma. Their reported plan – although later denied by their general manager Tiago Pinto – was to offer him a contract until 2023 before a potential coaching role.

On the contrary, it seems Moutinho still has plans to continue his playing career without a set finish date. What is beginning to become clear, though, is that that won’t be at Wolves. Somewhere back in Portugal seems a more likely landing spot.

Therefore, Wanderers fans will have to enjoy his talents while it lasts.

Moutinho has made a total of 162 appearances for the club. A loyal player, he has passed a century of games for all four teams he has represented his career.

In the not-too-distant future, though, he could be looking for a new one.

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