Valencia have lined Adrian Embarba up as their ideal replacement for Goncalo Guedes, should the winger accept a transfer to Wolves this summer, according to Marca.
Jose Bordalas’ Mestalla natives believe the Espanyol forward has the potential to ease any loss of the Portuguese winger. Wolves are currently attempting to lure Guedes to Molineux before next Tuesday’s deadline, but the moves does not yet convince the 24-year-old.
Guedes’ representatives are working to ease any concerns the Valencia star has of joining Bruno Lage’s Wolves. The West Midlands outfit are prepared to produce enticing terms, for both the 23-cap international and Los Murcielagos, to seal a deal over the next week.
Reports by Goal Espana additionally note Wolves are confident of signing Guedes and will pay Valencia €25m (£22m). The fee will mark a loss on the £36m the La Liga side paid Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. But only a third of the sum would be needed to purchase Embarba.
Valencia know Espanyol would sanction Embarba’s departure for less than €8m (£7m), and will move if Wolves sign Guedes. Bordalas loves the 29-year-old having worked with him at Getafe, and feels he can fill the key role in an already small squad that Guedes would leave.
Embarba has started each of Espanyol’s La Liga fixtures this season, but could not create in two goalless draws. Guedes, likewise, is yet to register a single goal or an assist, after scoring five and assisting six last term. Marking his joint-best return of goals and second-best haul of assists in four seasons at the Mestalla, including an initial year-long loan spell.
Wolves land big boost in bid to sign Guedes as Valencia eye Embarba
Lage will take confidence in Wolves’ pursuit of Guedes with Valencia lining up Espanyol star Embarba as his replacement. Bordalas will have a ready-made replacement for a key player in his plans, and clear a potential hurdle for Lage.
Wolves will still have to convince Guedes to accept a move to Molineux, though, given the Valencia star’s apparent concerns. He is a regular of the Mestalla line-up with 31 outings and 27 starts last season, plus two opening roles in two possible fixtures already this term.
The Portuguese forward was also starting to rediscover his best self last season and ended the campaign strongly. Of Guedes’ five goals and six assists in La Liga, four and five came respectively over the final 13 games.
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