Wolverhampton Wanderers could be one of the Premier League’s busiest sides as we enter the finale of the summer transfer window.
Towering Austrian striker Sasa Kalajdzic became Bruno Lage’s fifth summer signing after the 25-year-old completed his £15m move from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
But despite signing Nathan Collins from Burnley for £20.5m already this summer, defensive reinforcements look to be Lage’s priority ahead of tomorrow’s 11pm deadline.
With Wily Boly set to become Nottingham Forest’s 19th signing of the window and the Ivory Coast international following fellow centre-backs Conor Coady and Romain Saiss out the Molineux exit door, Lage will want to fill the void the experienced trio have left behind.
Boly’s impending move to the City Ground would leave the former Benfica manager with Collins, Max Kilman, Toti and Yerson Mosquera as his centre-back options.
Toti has played five times for Wolves and the Colombian Mosquera is yet to make his top-flight debut for the black and gold after enduring an injury hampered first season in the Black Country.
So with Lage’s defensive options looking a little threadbare, HITC Sport takes a look five centre-backs Wolves could target before the summer transfer window closes.
Five centre-backs Wolves could target before summer transfer window closes
Jason Denayer – Free Agent
According to Sky Sports, the 27-year-old Belgium international is one of two centre-back targets Lage wants to sign.
The former Manchester City youngster is a free agent having left Ligue 1 giants Lyon after four years at the Stade Gerland.
The 35-cap Belgian, who has had loan spells with Celtic and Galatasaray, spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Sunderland when the Black Cats were in the Premier League.
Denayer was part of the Lyon side that reached the 2019-20 Champions League semi-finals. He’s entering the prime years of his career and with him already having prior experience of playing in the Premier League, as well as being available on a free transfer, he could be a low-risk option.
Victor Nelsson – Galatasaray
According to the Mail, Wolves have been linked with a swoop for the £20m-rated Denmark international.
The 23-year-old joined the Turkish giants last summer from Copenhagen and he’s established himself as a regular in Galatasaray’s backline.
With Nelsson hoping to become a permanent fixture in Denmark’s defence ahead of the winter World Cup, a move to Wolves could help him move up the pecking order under Kasper Hjulmand.
Craig Dawson – West Ham United
The 32-year-old wants to return to the Midlands due to family reasons, according to Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth, and Wolves reportedly face competition from Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa to secure his signature.
Dawson was a regular under David Moyes last season, making 50 appearances for the Hammers and he was a key part of the side that reached the Europa League semi-finals.
But the former West Brom and Watford man hasn’t featured for the Irons yet this season and The Sun reports that both Villa and Wolves have made approaches for the experienced centre-back.
Caglar Soyuncu – Leicester City
The 26-year-old Turkey international cannot get a game under Brendan Rodgers in the Premier League even when Chelsea new boy Wesley Fofana wasn’t considered for selection.
The Foxes signed Soyuncu from Bundesliga side Freiburg in a deal worth £19m four years ago, but with just one year left to run on his contract, Leicester’s number four seemingly faces an uncertain future.
Out of favour and with his contract running down, Soyuncu could be a man keen to embark on a new challenge before the transfer window closes.
According to Belgium journalist Sacha Tavolieri, via Sports Witness, Wolves’ interest in Denayer is being put on hold because of an interest in Soyuncu.
Adam Webster – Brighton & Hove Albion
Out of the centre-backs linked with a switch to Molineux ahead of deadline day, we feel Webster is the least likely to make the move.
According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Wanderers are looking at the 27-year-old, but the Seagulls don’t let their big players go cheaply.
The former Bristol City man is a key part of Graham Potter’s side and having lost Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella already this summer, it’s highly unlikely that any more star names are leaving the Amex, unless Wolves are willing to pay an astronomical amount of money.
Brighton are tough negotiators and Wolves would be better served putting their time and resources into trying to land other targets.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
