Talented though he undoubtedly is, the arrival of Goncalo Guedes at Wolverhampton Wanderers feels almost like slapping a sticking plaster on a broken arm.
The Portugal international, a proposed £27 million signing from Valencia (BBC), arrives at Molineux after the most prolific season of his career in 2021/22, scoring 13 goals in 42 games for La Liga’s eternal underachievers.
But Bruno Lage already has a talented pool of attacking midfielders/wingers at his disposal; Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence, Morgan Gibbs-White and Hwang Hee-Chan. Adama Traore is still a Wolves player too, don’t forget.
Guedes will bring searing pace and explosive unpredictability to the Black Country. But, even with the former Paris Saint-Germain speedster joining Neto, Podence and co in Old Gold, there will be a limit to how much Wolves can achieve unless they succeed in landing a new number nine before September’s transfer deadline.
All that ammunition, and no one to fire the gun.
Wolves need a new striker as well as Goncalo Guedes
It certainly doesn’t reflect well on Wolves that Lage did not have a single first-team centre-forward at his disposal during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United. Yes, misfortune has played it’s part. Wolves have done something to get on Lady Luck’s bad side.
But the fact remains that, beyond Raul Jimenez – who missed the trip to Elland Road through injury – this is a toothless Wolves side with a bark far worse than it’s bite.
That Lage felt compelled to turn to Chem Campbell – a teenager with 12 minutes of league football under his belt – when Wolves were chasing an equaliser in West Yorkshire tells it’s own story.
Hwang Hee-Chan started through the middle at Leeds. And while he was a nuisance, buzzing around the pitch while riling the home support, it’s now one goal in 24 Premier League games for the former RB Leipzig flop. Podence, while opening the scoring at Elland Road, is far from prolific either.
Toothless Wolves
Fortunately, there are still three weeks of the window remaining. And, in addition to Guedes, Wolves are determined to ensure that Jimenez, when he returns to full fitness, has some genuine competition at Molineux for the first time since he arrived from Benfica four years ago.
According to The Sun, Wolves have offered £10 million for Strasbourg’s Ludovic Ajorque. At 6ft 6ins, Ajorque is a sky-scraper of a man; An old-school goal-poacher who scored 28 times in the last two Ligue 1 seasons.
Strasbourg want closer to £20 million, however. It seems unlikely Wolves would pay that much for a 28-year-old who would not be a guaranteed starter under Lage, once Jimenez is back in contention. Not with owners Fosun keen to keep the purse-strings tightly drawn these days.
Hwang Ui Jo, another who thrived in France, feels more attainable, not to mention affordable.
Wolves made a rather strange opening offer offer – one that included an eyebrow-raising Champions League bonuses and one Bordeaux are expected to reject (L’Equipe).
Les Girondins might make HBO Max look like a well-oiled machine but, despite relegation and mountainous debts, they are still holding out for £7 million.
More nimble and mobile than the rangy Ajorque, Hwang feels like a better stylistic fit for a speedy Wolves frontline containing the electrifying Neto and Guedes, plus the intelligent, stylish Podence.
Hwang, Ajorque or Batshuayi?
“He has the ability to score,” former Bordeaux coach Jean-Louis Gasset says of 29-year-old Hwang. “But he can (also) play anywhere across the forward line.
“He’s very active for a front-line striker. Hwang’s mental ability is also excellent.”
Versatile, hard-working, self-confident and an excellent finisher; Four attributes that are likely to appeal greatly to Lage, and the Wolves supporters to boot.
Chelsea’s forgotten man Michy Batshuayi is another option. His underwhelming Premier League record, however, means few at Molineux would be too enamoured about the Belgian’s arrival.
Either way, whoever joins Guedes at Wolves – be it Batshuayi, Hwang or Ajorque – Wolves must ensure their frontline looks stronger at the end of the window than it did at the beginning. Failing that, another season of mid-table mediocrity – at best – looms large over Molineux.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
