Wolves transfer news: Jhon Arias waves goodbye to Fluminense fans ahead of £19m move

Wolverhampton Wanderers are seemingly on the brink of signing Fluminense playmaker Jhon Arias.

Throughout the last week, it has been widely claimed that the Premier League giants are targeting a deal for the Colombia international.

Despite Fluminense initially rejecting at least one offer from Wolves, it was reported over the past 48 hours that a fee in the region of £19m had been agreed.

However, Arias lined up on the right flank for Fluminense on Thursday night in a home Brasileiro fixture against Cruzeiro.

The 27-year-old would surprisingly play the full 90 minutes as Fluminense suffered a 2-0 defeat, but it became apparent after the full-time whistle that Arias would be moving to the Premier League.

E o momento que os tricolores não queriam. Despedida de Arias pic.twitter.com/bZYvI9O8fr

— Fim de Jogo (@fimdejogo) July 18, 2025

Arias signals Fluminense exit

Arias took his time thanking and waving goodbye to supporters ahead of making the journey to England over the weekend, depending on being granted a visa.

He has spent just short of four years at the Maracana, contributing 47 goals and 55 assists from 230 appearances in all competitions.

Most recently, Arias played all six matches as Fluminense reached the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, providing one goal and one assist in a pivotal 4-2 victory over Ulsan HD in the group phase.

Furthermore, he featured down the centre of the attack in wins over Inter Milan and Al-Hilal in the knockout phase before his team's defeat to Chelsea.

Having won a Copa Libertadores trophy during his time at Fluminense, Arias will depart as a club legend as he bids to take his form to European football.

Jhon Arias created more chances (18) and had more accurate crosses (17) than any other player at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. ? pic.twitter.com/bW67C17Zq8

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 17, 2025

Wolves need Arias to hit the ground running

Aside from prospect Fer Lopez, Wolves are yet to replace Matheus Cunha with an experienced attacker, and it appears as though Arias will be Vitor Pereira's chosen man for the number 10 role alongside Marshall Munetsi.

However, having only played in South America and with just three goals from 29 appearances for Colombia, expectations may need to be lowered in the short term.

Arias has also already racked up 35 appearances in all competitions in 2025 and may not be rushed, even if Wolves need fresh faces in the final third.

Written by
Darren Plant