Wolves spent late during the summer transfer window and it appears that they are planning ahead this time if emerging reports are to be believed…
What’s the word?
According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, the Midlands outfit are one of several Premier League teams pursuing a move for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueke.
It’s claimed that the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City are all willing to bid for the 21-year-old sensation in the near future.
Although, his mooted €80m (£71.5m) release clause puts several of those teams out of the race, unless the La Liga outfit would be open to negotiating a deal, which so far remains to be seen.
Traore replacement?
The report also brings Jurgen Klopp’s maintained interest in Wolves wide man Adama Traore back to the surface once again and as speculation continues to rumble on amid a lack of contact talks, his future at Molineux is by no means certain.
Traore has started only four of their nine Premier League matches this season and hasn’t delivered an assist since June nor a scored a goal since February.
It would not be a surprise to see the Spaniard moved on in the next six to 12 months, especially after Diogo Jota’s sudden exit in the summer. Old Gold chairman Jeff Shi is clearly not afraid to offload Nuno Santo’s key stars for the right price.
Which is why the club should seriously consider Chukwueke.
The Nigerian international has been compared to Arjen Robben – “full of pace, skill and possessing a majestic left foot,” wrote the BBC in 2018 whilst last summer, he was named in UEFA’s ones to watch list.
His current value is much closer to €50m (£45m) according to the CIES Football Observatory, so perhaps Wolves can get him cheaper than that whopping release clause.
When deployed as a right-winger this season, Chukwueke has contributed to three goals in ten appearances across La Liga and the Europa League, and has also averaged a massive four dribbles and 3.5 shots per match in Europe, via WhoScored.
La Liga ambassador Mutiu Adepoju was left in awe over the “exciting” talent earlier in the year, adding: “Chukwueze is another young player who is doing well in La Liga. I believe in the next one year, he’s going to explode if he continues that way.”
Even legendary striker Samuel Eto’o believes the young starlet is an “incredible player” whilst West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi claims Chukwueze has destroyed him in training on numerous occasions for the national team.
If Traore does leave Molineux anytime soon, then Nuno should be looking no further than the Villarreal sensation.
AND in other news, Fosun’s dream signing: Wolves must swoop for “big player” who has a “ton of potential”…