Wolves comment: Striking suggestions to beef up front line
As the transfer window approaches, Wolves will be looking at who they may be able to splash some cash on.
It is safe to say that there does not need to be a massive amount of arrivals, given the season Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have enjoyed. But quality can always be added to the mix, of course.
Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota have proven to be a potent partnership, scoring 22 goals between them. Wolves could do with a third striker to help share the load next campaign though, so here are four centre-forwards who are worth a look.
Tammy Abraham
It is no secret that Wolves like what they see in the 21-year-old.
An attempt to sign Abraham in January was unsuccessful, but if Villa – where he has starred on loan from Chelsea – fail to get promoted to the Premier League and the Blues want to cash in, it could be second time lucky.
Of course, as things stand, Chelsea have been placed under a transfer embargo for the next two transfer windows which prevents them from signing players, although they are trying to get it delayed.
Either way, they can still sell stars – or loan them out as they tend to in dozens every summer – so there is definitely still a chance of signing the 6ft 3in attacker.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Nuno always stresses that any signing Wolves make has to bring something different to the table.
And Mitrovic would do that, no doubt. While not possessing the technical prowess of Jimenez and Jota, the Serb certainly offers more in the way of physicality and aerial presence.
The goals have dried up slightly over the past couple of months with Fulham, but Mitrovic has always proven to be a handful whenever up against Wolves’ backline and has managed 11 league goals this term.
With the Cottagers returning to the Championship too, a decent deal could be struck for the target man, who, at 24, has time to improve.
Neal Maupay
Maupay is a man already held in positive regard by Wolves fans as he scored the goal which sealed their return to the top flight – an equaliser for Brentford against Fulham last season.
The Frenchman has continued to find the net at a regular rate for the Bees too.
A strike rate of one in two is considered to be the benchmark for a fine forward, and the 22-year-old has managed 24 goals in 42 league appearances this campaign.
Yes, it is the Championship and the step up the Premier League is a sizeable one – but the vast majority of Wolves’ squad have successfully made the transition and continued to shine.
He would probably be a cheaper option than Abraham and Mitrovic, arguably with the potential to be just as good.
Andre Silva
A player who worked under Nuno at Porto and impressed so much that he earned a big-money move to AC Milan, Wolves have long been linked with the 23-year-old.
There has not been anything concrete in any of the rumours thus far, but that is not to say a deal is impossible.
Silva is set to return to Italy following a season spent in Spain, on loan at Sevilla.
He has not exactly been a revelation, scoring nine goals in 27 appearances, but it may be enough for Milan to give him another chance to impress.
If they do want to get rid on a permanent basis though, you have to think Nuno – given Silva's 16 goals in 32 during the season they were together at Porto – would at least give it some consideration.
Portuguese, at a good age and a Jorge Mendes client, he ticks a few boxes.
However, Wolves would not be the only suitor.
