Wolverhampton Wanderers could be offered the opportunity to sign £33 million Italy international Federico Bernardeschi from Juventus this summer, according to Tuttosport.
And if Wolves fans felt that this was simply too good to be true, well, then their suspicions are certainly justified. There is a sting in the tail here.
As Tuttosport points out, Bernardeschi could be on his way to Molineux – but only if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side allow top scorer and record-breaker Raul Jimenez to go in the other direction.
And therein lies the problem.
Jimenez is arguably the biggest reason why Wolves could end the season with Europa League title and a Champions League place under their belts.
The Mexican international is already a bonafide Molineux legend, nodding home his 23rd goal of the season during Saturday’s 2-0 win away at West Ham.
Juventus’s interest is well documented – and Bernardeschi is just one of many players who could be offered to Wolves as something of a sweetener.
Tuttosport suggests that centre-back Daniele Rugani, who was linked with a move to the Black Country, is another potential option, while Gonzalo Higuain and Adrien Rabiot have been linked of late too.
Bernardeschi caused plenty of controversy in Italy when he left Fiorentina for bitter rivals Juve in 2017 but, unlike the legendary Roberto Baggio, the gifted winger has struggled to live up to lofty expectations in Turin.
In 26 games, he has produced just a single goal and assist in 2019/20 with Fabio Capello’s criticism ringing in his ears.
“Bernardeschi can do some fantastic things, but also needs to take fewer touches,” the former England manager told Radio Deejay, translated by Football Italia.
“He holds on too long. Vision is something you cannot buy or learn. You’ve either got it in you or you haven’t.”
Maybe Wolves would be better off keeping Jimenez. The grass isn’t always greener and all that…
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