The Brazilian, owned by Benfica but on loan at Besiktas, was the subject of £20 million bids from both Wolves and Liverpool last summer.
Anderson Talisca may have played Champions League football in Naples and Lisbon this season but, if Wolverhampton Wanderers had their way, Paul Lambert would be briefing him about the dangers of Bristol City ahead of Wednesday’s second tier clash.
The Sun reported in the summer that Wolves, flushed with Chinese investment and benefitting from super-agent Jorge Mendes’ string-pulling, had made an offer of £20 million for Benfica forward Anderson Talisca.
The fact that Wolves have spent most of the season struggling in the bottom half while Besiktas, the club Talisca joined on loan instead, sit at the top of the Turkish Super Lig suggest the Brazilian had a lucky escape.
Yet, with Besiktas president Fikret Orman claiming that the Brazil Under-23 international will find himself at a new club next season, the Midlands outfit may well have renewed optimism.
“Benfica are keen on selling Talisca, if a £21 million offer is made they will try and make the deal go through,” Orman told Turkish Football before admitting that Besiktas do not have the funds to turn the attacker’s temporary deal permanent.
However, with Wolves hoping to improve on a disappointing season which delivered a dose of harsh reality to the club’s ambitious new owners, Fosun International, breaking the Championship transfer record for a forward of Talisca’s ability would be cause for real optimism.
The 23-year-old has netted eight times in just 16 league appearances while also demonstrating his Champions League quality with a stunning free-kick against parent club Benfica in the group stages.
And with Helder Costa seemingly unlikely to remain at Molineux beyond the summer, Talisca could prove to be a ready made replacement.
O Jogo reported last summer that Liverpool had agreed a fee worth £20 million only for the deal to fall through and, with Jurgen Klopp requiring added depth in his frontline, it would be no surprise if The Reds were to also renew their interest in the summer.
Liverpool look set for a return to European football, meaning a hefty fixture schedule will put added pressure on the likes of Adam Lallana, Phillippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane – justifying the need for reinforcements.
Therefore, this could prove to be a real test of Wolves’ ambitions.
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