Leicester City could play a vital role in Wolves’ pursuit of Atletico Madrid defender Felipe with AS claiming that the La Liga giants have lined up Caglar Soyuncu as the Brazilian’s replacement at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Julen Lopetegui, after taking over from Bruno Lage at Molineux, made no secret of his desire to make full use of the winter window. And, with just over three weeks until January rolls around, Wolves are already making progress in their pursuit of a few high-profile transfer targets.
Per Fabrizio Romano, talks regarding a potential deal for Brazil international centre-forward Matheus Cunha are underway. Cunha’s Atletico team-mate Felipe could join him in the Black Country too; 90Min claiming that the 33-year-old centre-back may be in line for a fresh start after falling out of favour under Diego Simeone.
Felipe, who joined Atletico from Porto in a £15 million deal back in 2019, will be a free-agent in 2023. Wolves, then, can perhaps expect a cut-price deal in January.
Wolves are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid defender Felipe
Atletico, meanwhile, have identified Leicester City’s number four as a potential successor for Felipe, with Soyuncu also entering the final few months of his contract. The former Freiburg stopper has played just 72 minutes of Premier League football under Brendan Rodgers this season; paying for an error-strewn run of form with his starting spot at the King Power Stadium.
Soyuncu is arguably Leicester’s fourth-choice centre-half these days; behind Daniel Amartey, Jonny Evans and the eye-catching Wout Faes.
“He is a great lad,” Rodgers told the Leicester Mercury in September. “I came in 2019, I gave him the opportunity. He was fantastic in that first season.
“Then it was a mixture of things. The national team wasn’t going so well. He had some injuries. And then he played so much because he was one of my only fit centre-halves. It was really difficult for him.
“But he has never been a problem. He is a great guy, works hard. And when the opportunity comes, he knows he has to be ready.”
Unless fresh terms can be agreed, January represents Leicester’s last chance to recoup some of their £19 million investment on Soyuncu.
Wolves, meanwhile, are reportedly keen on Osasuna defender David Garcia in addition to Felipe. Garcia has a £17 million release clause in his contract.
Per AS, Lopetegui is a long-time admirer of the Pamplona-born stopper. Garcia has captained Osasuna in eight of their La Liga games so far in 2022/23.
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