All eyes will be on Wolves business during the summer transfer window as a pivotal few months await for Vitor Pereira.
Wolves could lose some of their key players. Big clubs want Matheus Cunha, meanwhile, Liverpool are admirers of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tottenham have shown an interest in Joao Gomes.
Vitor Pereira could pocket hundreds of millions for the above players, should they all depart, and he will need to find some replacements.
The 56-year-old will be targeting recruits in attack, especially with Pablo Sarabia’s contract expiring, but defence will also need improving.
Pereira currently has just four senior centre-backs available, and one of those is the makeshift Matt Doherty, so he arguably needs to sign another and one European star could be the perfect match.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Wolves should sign Olivier Boscagli on a free transfer
Wolves did tremendously well in the January transfer window to sign Emmanuel Agbadou and Nasser Djiga.
Agbadou has been a regular starter since joining while Djiga has been used more sporadically as he’s one for the future.
But Pereira needs someone to join in the present and cement his place in defence. That player could be PSV stalwart Olivier Boscagli, who sees his contract expire in June 2025.
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Boscagli has been an integral player for the Dutch giants this term, featuring 36 times in all competitions and racking up an impressive five assists.
Despite his brilliant form, there is no sign of him renewing his contract, and that means he could leave on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old has starred in the Champions League this term, even captaining PSV in their 3-2 win over Liverpool in the group stage.
On paper, moving from an elite European club to Wolves seems unlikely but the allure of Premier League football could be enough to sway him to work under Pereira.
How Boscagli compares to Santiago Bueno
Boscagli has been dubbed as ‘excellent’ by sections of the Dutch media this term and the Frenchman is astute with the ball at his feet.
He’s incredibly comfortable in possession, ranking in the top 1% of defenders across Europe for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, and the top 11% for progressive carries.
Unsurprisingly, the metrics, both in possession and when defending, indicate that he’d be an upgrade on Santiago Bueno, who would be one impacted most by any move for a new defender.
Olivier Boscagli’s stats past year Statistic Santiago Bueno’s stats past year
88.1% Pass completion 88.4%
7.81 Progressive passes 1.58
1.19 Progressive carries 0.18
1.88 Interceptions 0.74
1.58 Tackles 1.80
3.76 Clearances 3.02
Although a move for Boscagli would be ambitious, even on a free transfer, he would inarguably complete Pereira’s defensive puzzle heading into 2025/26, especially with Yerson Mosquera returning.