A left-sided defender is on Vitor Pereira’s shopping list this summer as he aims to add some quality depth to the Wolves squad.
Toti Gomes was a mainstay in the Wolves team throughout the 2025/26 campaign, becoming an immovable object on the left of a back three.
The 26-year-old is expected to continue alongside Emmanuel Agbadou and Matt Doherty in 2025/26, although Vitor Pereira wants to sign someone to compete with Toti.
Wolves have been linked with Jhon Lucumi, who is Yerson Mosquera’s teammate for Colombia, while Zenit St Petersburg star Robert Renan is rated highly by Pereira.
Alongside Lucumi and Renan, the Wanderers have added a Premier League centre-back to their transfer wish list.
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Wolves attempting to hijack Real Sociedad move for Igor Julio
As Toti is hopeful of competition being added to the Wolves squad this summer, he will be happy to know that Pereira is eyeing a swoop for Brighton defender Igor Julio.
According to El Diario Vasco, Wolves have ‘picked up the phone’ for Igor alongside Leeds United and Crystal Palace, but it isn’t their Premier League rivals who they should be most wary of.
La Liga side Real Sociedad remains the ‘main option’ for Igor as they’ve pushed the most of any club to capture him, with the report claiming he wants to move away from England.
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Currently, it seems unlikely that Pereira and his recruitment team can persuade the 27-year-old to snub a move to Spain in favour of a switch to Wolves.
But with Igor returning for pre-season on Tuesday July 1, the Old Gold will find out soon enough whether a team packed with Brazilian talent such as Joao Gomes, Andre and Pedro Lima can turn his head.
Igor, who Brighton signed for £14 million in 2023, only made 13 top-flight appearances last term after suffering a hamstring injury, returning on the final day against Tottenham.
Considering Pereira is looking for players with versatility, the former Fiorentina man fits the bill, as he’s comfortable as a left wing-back or centre-back.
Inigo Calderon is surprised Brighton are letting Igor leave
Igor is an aggressive and progressive ball-playing centre-back who has unfortunately not featured a great deal under Fabian Hurzeler.
That is why former Brighton under-18 coach Inigo Calderon is surprised that Hurzeler is willing to let the defender leave.
In an interview with El Diario Vasco, Calderon said: “Igor Julio is an animal, a centre back that I really like.
“I was the Brighton U-18s coach for 18 months and I know the players because we are very close to the first team. I have seen Igor daily, especially during Roberto de Zerbi’s tenure. We shared a training ground and often stayed to watch the sessions.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that Igor is an animal, a centre back I really like for many reasons. He wins duels and has a good footwork for releasing the ball, both passing and dribbling.
“He’s a very good kid and a great professional. It’s not easy to start without playing, and he didn’t complain a single day, quite the opposite. It’s surprising because Brazilians tend to be somewhat problematic depending on where they come from, and Igor isn’t like that at all.”