Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa to leave Wolves as part of Julen Lopetegui rebuild

Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa will leave Wolves when their current contracts expire, while Adama Traore is still in talks about an extension.

The Premier League club’s sporting director Matt Hobbs has confirmed that Portuguese midfielder Moutinho, 36, and Brazilian-born Spanish striker Costa, 34, will officially leave at the end of this month.

Hobbs told the club’s official website: “Joao will go down in my opinion as one of the best players ever.

“He was an integral part of the team the whole time he was here. Our success in the past four or five years, he has played an important role. So he now leaves with nothing but thanks from the football club.

“We thank Joao for everything he has done at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Moutinho joined from Monaco in July 2018 and played 212 games for Wanderers.

Speaking of former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea frontman Costa, Hobbs added: “It feels like the natural time to part ways because he had a one-year contract. There were some internal conversations and we felt this was good.

“I have no doubt that Diego will definitely get another club thanks to his performance. When a club calls me to ask about the person, I give them nothing but praise.’

However, Traore could still have a future at Molineux with manager Julen Lopetegui keen to keep the 27-year-old and talks are underway.

Hobbs said: ‘He’s out of contract now, but that doesn’t mean there’s no way we can come to an agreement, so talks will be ongoing. He probably earned the right to understand what else is out there.

‘Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’re definitely going to try. We hope we can come to an agreement, but let’s see what happens in the coming weeks.”