Now, we don’t want to rain on your parade and dampen that pre-season optimism but, if Wolves fans are hoping to see a Matheus Nunes or a Benjamin Sesko arrive at Molineux before September’s transfer deadline, well, let’s just say we wouldn’t recommend holding your breath.
Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim has all-but confirmed that Nunes will be sticking around for another season, having turned down a £35,000-a-week contract in the Black Country.
And while that £300 million claim was made with tongues pressed firmly against the inside of cheeks, Red Bull Salzburg certainly aren’t for budging either. The so-called ‘next Erling Haaland’ will be one of the next to drop off Salzburg’s prodigious production line, but Sesko is not quite ready to be boxed up and sold off just yet.
But just because Nunes and Sesko aren’t arriving, that does not mean the final few weeks of the window won’t make for intriguing viewing at Molineux. Here are five players Wolves can – and maybe will – sign before the rumour mill grinds to a halt.
Eldor Shomurodov – Roma
Raul Jimenez’s most ill-timed of injury blows leaves Bruno Lage with just two senior centre-forwards ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United; And the sight of Patrick Cutrone or Leo Bonatini leading the line certainly won’t instil an air of optimism in Elland Road’s away end.
Shomurodov, then, can’t arrive soon enough.
Gianluca di Marzio claims that Wolves are keen on the Roma misfit, available for just £7 million after a difficult debut season under Jose Mourinho. What’s more, the Giallorossi must get Shomurodov off their books before completing a deal for free-agent Andrea Belotti.
This is a deal that suits all parties down to the ground.
Ludovic Ajorque – Strasbourg
Another late-blooming centre-forward, 28-year-old Ajorque is not exactly a household name this side of the Channel but his form across the sea certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.
According to Sky, Wolves are one of eight Premier League sides who scouted the 6ft 6ins, £18 million-rated targetman during Strasbourg’s 3-0 friendly win at Liverpool on Friday.
What’s more, Ajorque has scored 28 league goals in the last two seasons. And not for one of Ligue 1’s traditional big-hitters either.
Robert Renan – Corinthians
Last week, reports in Brazil indicated that Renan was packing his bags and heading for England. An unnamed Premier League side have reportedly submitted an eight-figure bid for a ball-playing centre-half who only made his senior debut a couple of months ago.
Could Wolves be the mystery club in question? Well, Renan’s agent was in England for talks recently. And Wolves have a history when it comes to signing talented young defenders from South America. They snapped up Yerson Mosquera from Colombian football just last year.
Stefan Posch – Hoffenheim
Another classy central defender comfortable with the ball at his feet, Hoffenheim appear to have paved the way for Posch’s departure. The Bundesliga outfit brought in Ozan Kabak from Schalke just last week July.
“Stefan Posch; It is possible that he will leave Hoffenheim in this transfer window,” explains Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg.
“He has a market in the Premier League. Wolverhampton is in. Transfer fee; Probably around 10 million euros.”
The Austria international could be a long-term replacement for the ageing and injury-prone Willy Boly. Did we mention he is very familiar with a three-man defensive system too?
Dario Osorio – Universidad de Chile
A teenage winger dubbed the second coming of Angel di Maria by some has already agreed a move to Molineux, if reports are to be believed. According to TNT Sports, Wolves will pay Universidad de Chile a potential bargain fee in the region of £4 million.
There are certainly similarities between Osorio and a young Pedro Neto; Direct, versatile and boasting serious pace. One for the future certainly, but don’t rule out Osorio making an immediate impact too.
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