Wolves to make bid for £25m assist-machine Klopp called 'really quick'

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Wolverhampton Wanderers ‘may soon’ submit an offer for Benfica winger Rafa Silva ahead of a potential move to the Premier League for the Portugal international, as reported by A Bola.

What do Everton, Leeds United, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brentford all have in common?

Well, all five – including a Toffees side who dropped into the relegation zone following Sunday’s Merseyside Derby defeat to Liverpool – have scored more goals in 2021/22 than Bruno Lage’s Europe-chasing Wolves.

The Black Country giants drew a blank at Burnley this weekend and are averaging one goal a match this term. If Wolves are to continue climbing the footballing ladder under former Benfica boss Lage, then you don’t need a UEFA A licence to realise what is required in the summer transfer window.

Rafa Silva has scored more goals (12) and provided more assists (18) than any other player in Wolves’ squad. Issues behind the scenes, however, mean that the long-serving winger is expected to leave the Estadio da Luz in the summer with Benfica demanding around £25 million.

Will Wolves sign Rafa Silva?

It remains to be seen if Wolves – a side leaning towards the self-sustainability model these days – are willing to pay such a fee for a man who will turn 29 in May. The 2020 Europa League quarter-finalists are holding initial talks with Rafa’s camp, however, and could firm up their interest with a formal offer sooner rather than later.

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According to Record, Rafa would welcome the chance to follow in the footsteps of fellow Portugal internationals Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Diogo Jota and Rui Patricio. The one-time Newcastle United target is keen on a move to the Premier League. His searing pace, meanwhile, could help fill a void created by Adama Traore’s expected departure.

And, in truth, Traore could only dream of possessing Rafa Silva’s end product. Can you really imagine the Barcelona loanee scoring a goal like the one Rafa scored against Estoril recently?

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“Rafa, with the ball… wow! Really quick,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said prior to the recent Champions League quarter-final clash with Benfica.

“There’s a lot of quality in this team.”

Wolves are also keen on Shakhtar Donetsk’s Pedrinho, having held advanced talks with his agent. Raul Jimenez’s fellow Mexico international Hirving Lozano is another potential addition.