Southampton failed in an attempt to bring Dario Osorio to the Premier League 10 months ago with Wolves now favourites to sign the exciting Universidad de Chile winger, according to Chilean publication Red Gol.
From Virgil van Dijk to Sadio Mane, Tino Livramento to Romeo Lavia; the Saints have long since established themselves as one of Europe’s most reliable talentspotters. So it should be no surprise really that an 18-year-old forward capped twice already at international level has registered on their radar.
Southampton, Red Gol say, made a ‘formal offer’ for Osorio in January. Universidad de Chile rejected it, however, as the bid fell short of their £4.5 million valuation.
A valuation Wolves, if reports are to be believed, would have no problem meeting in the New Year; the men from Molineux now leading the race to sign a winger who has been compared to Gareth Bale, Angel di Maria and Raphinha in recent months.
Will Wolves land Dario Osorio after Southampton approach?
Chilean reporter Maks Cardenas claims to have heard that Wolverhampton Wanderers have already agreed a deal to bring the teenager to the Black Country.
“Osorio is ready (to leave Universidad de Chile),” he says. “One of the top three teams in Serie A came for Osorio, I cannot say which one. They went to see him against England (a 3-0 win for the Young Lions over Chile’s U20 team in September).
“But, in the corridors, I heard that that he has already been sold to Wolves. For six million euros (£5.5 million).”
Osorio is a two-footed right-winger in the Pedro Neto mould. He has seven goals in 26 league games this season for a struggling Universidad de Chile outfit. Per 90Min, Leicester City, Brentford, and Brighton have also shown an interest. And it remains to be seen if Southampton come calling again before Osorio puts pen to paper with Wolves.
“The largest transfer in Chilean football for more than a decade,” reporter Juan Cristobal Guarello writes in La Tercera.
“Dario Osorio is good. Really good. He carries the ball well. He knows how to turn, he has power, technique and strikes hits the ball in an extraordinary way. With the right support and work, he can reach his full potential.”
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