A thrilling summer transfer window is forecasted at Wolves as Vitor Pereira looks to reshape his first-team squad.
The biggest dilemma on his hands is how to replace Matheus Cunha, who is set to join Manchester United next week.
Cunha’s brilliance in 2024/25, including 15 Premier League goals, have earned him the opportunity to join Ruben Amorim’s men.
But with his departure almost confirmed, Vitor Pereira is looking for a new number 10, and one target on Wolves’ radar is Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.
The Moroccan attacking midfielder had a productive first season in the Premier League and would be a smart addition for Wolves. So, with that said, we’ve taken a look at the winners and losers should the Old Gold complete the signing.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Winners from Bilal El Khannouss’ transfer to Wolves
Jorgen Strand Larsen
El Khannouss is a terrific playmaker as he’s averaged an impressive 5.28 progressive passes per 90 in the past year, which outlines his creative abilities.
Jorgen Strand Larsen is someone who can benefit from the 21-year-old’s forward-thinking approach, as he constantly tries to play forward and splits the lines with passes.
Realistically, El Khannouss is more of a team player than Cunha, and if slotted in behind Strand Larsen, he will surely create more chances than the Brazilian for the Norwegian to gobble up.
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Vitor Pereira
Pereira is looking for a number 10 to impact a game in the final third and become the orchestrator of attacks, just like Cunha was last season.
So, with the prospect of El Khannouss playing in one of those attacking midfield roles, it’s easy to see why he would be excited.
The 56-year-old is great at improving young players and getting the best out of them. That means he’d surely relish working with the Moroccan, who is only going to reach his potential.
Losers from Bilal El Khannouss transfer to Wolves
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
When Cunha wasn’t available for four matches between March and April, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde flourished in a free role behind Strand Larsen.
The Frenchman grabbed two assists for the Norwegian against Southampton and was influential in that position.
So now El Khannouss could replace Cunha, there’s a chance Bellegarde’s minutes as an attacking midfielder could be restricted.
Pereira has used the 26-year-old in a deep-lying playmaker role, but with the incredible partnership of Joao Gomes and Andre, it’s hard for him to get a settled spot in the team, and he would surely have to battle El Khannouss.
Hwang Hee-chan
After scoring 12 goals in 2023/24, it was a disastrous campaign for Hwang Hee-chan in 2024/25, starting just five times in the Premier League and scoring twice.
It seems likely that Hwang could exit Wolves this summer after not fitting into Pereira’s style, with the potential transfer of El Khannouss pushing him further down the pecking order.
The South Korean forward has often been used in one of the number 10 roles, as opposed to his preferred position as a central striker.
But with Strand Larsen scoring for fun and too many better options in attacking midfield, it could be the end of the road for the 29-year-old.