Wolverhampton Wanderers are resigned to losing talisman Matheus Cunha this summer as Manchester United close in on a move for the Brazilian.
The £62.5m release clause has been activated, which means Vitor Pereira will be looking to bolster his attacking options this summer.
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Jorgen Strand Larsen has enjoyed a decent debut campaign at Molineux, but further additions will be needed if the club are to push into the top half of the Premier League table next term.
What could the manager do with the services of a prime Raul Jimenez next season?
Why Raul Jimenez was a success at Wolves
The Mexican striker signed for the Old Gold on an initial loan deal for the 2018/19 season, going on to score 17 goals in all competitions for the club.
In the following campaign, he was even better. Jimenez scored 27 goals and grabbed a further ten assists as the club finished seventh in the top flight and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
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This is still the last time a player has scored over 20 goals in a single season for the Molineux side, as the centre-forward suffered a few horrendous injuries that impacted his effectiveness.
Indeed, he would only score another 13 times for the Midlands side before being sold to Fulham for just £5m in the summer of 2023. The player has enjoyed an Indian summer in London, scoring 12 top-flight goals this campaign alone.
Wolves haven’t replaced his goals, despite the antics of Cunha and Larsen this term. Might this change in the summer as Pereira eyes a Serie A striker?
Why Wolves must sign Lazio striker Taty Castellanos
Castellanos has an insatiable eye for a goal that would immediately get the supporters onside, especially as he could have the potential to replicate the feats of Jimenez should he move to England.
Reports in Italy claim that the Old Gold are seeking a move for the Lazio frontman, although a price tag of around £29m has been placed on his head.
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The 2024/25 campaign was a prolific one for the Argentinian striker. Not only has he found the back of the net 14 times for the Rome-based club, but he has also added eight assists, proving how effective his all-round game is.
Lauded as “extraordinary” by Lazio manager Marco Baroni in October, Castellanos would be an interesting signing for Pereira this summer.
With Cunha departing, goals will have to come from somewhere. Could the Lazio talisman be their main man next season?
Taty Castellanos' Serie A stats this season
Goals
Assists
Shots per game
Goal conversion percentage
Goal frequency (minutes)
Big chances created
Via Sofascore
When compared to positional peers in the Italian top flight, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 2% for total shots per 90 (3.84) and in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area (5.69) per 90 this season.
Impressive statistics, but would he be able to carry these performances into the Premier League?
Time will tell, of course, but with the money generated from the sale of Cunha, some must go into signing a new striker.
Csstellanos might just be the ideal signing for Pereira this summer.
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