Significant business is being prepared with the transfer window fast approaching.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly lined up Lazio forward Taty Castellanos as a potential replacement for Matheus Cunha.
The Old Gold are on the lookout for a clinical finisher as Cunha, who has a release clause of £62.5 million in his contract, is expected to depart Molineux once the summer transfer window opens. Manchester United are leading the race to sign Wolves’ talisman, though the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool are still thought to be interested in a potential late hijack.
Castellanos, previously part of the City Football Group with spells at New York City FC and Girona, isn’t a number ten or wide forward like Cunha, but he has proved to be an effective striker. The 26-year-old has helped push Lazio into Champions League reckoning with 10 goals and five assists in 27 Serie A appearances this season.
Italian publication Lalaziosiamonoi reports Wolves are searching for a top-level striker and are considering a bid for Castellanos. There’s plenty of competition, though, with Villarreal, Betis, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest all said to be interested.
West Ham are eager to bolster their attacking ranks as Niclas Fullkrug could be set for the exit door, Michail Antonio is likely to depart at the end of his contract and Evan Ferguson will return to Brighton & Hove Albion once his loan expires. Castellanos, in his prime years could be a good option.
The report states an eye should be kept on Forest in regards to Castellanos. Lazio are be reluctant to sell their star striker but could be tempted by bids in the region of €35 million (£29.5m). Wolves, West Ham and Forest would all be able to afford such a fee, but whether Castellanos is worth it is another question.
Important summer ahead for Wolves
Having clinched Premier League survival, Wolves can look ahead to next season without guilt. Pereira had the winter window to sign the likes of Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga, but he’s yet to have a full summer to properly make his mark on the squad.
The 56-year-old head coach is expected to hold talks over extending his Wolves contract and he’s bound to be backed by the board in the transfer market as a result. He will have money to spend, too, as Cunha’s exit will significantly boost the budget.
Quite a squad overhaul could take place this summer despite Wolves’ recent resurgence. It’s the first summer for Pereira to get fully involved in transfer business, after all, with the Portuguese manager eager to guide the Old Gold to bigger and better things after a strong start.
An attacker or two is the priority with Cunha’s departure to leave a huge void and Jorgen Strand Larsen is being relied on a little too much. Another centre-back is desired, too, while a contract decision is still yet to be made by right-back Nelson Semedo. Midfield will undoubtedly be addressed, too, with Pereira keen to move on Tommy Doyle and replace him with someone better suited to his structure.
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