A long 38-game Premier League season saw Wolves finish in 16th, but with some quality reinforcements in the summer, they will be confident of achieving higher.
With Matheus Cunha set to move to Manchester United, Wolves will have some funds to spend on new recruits.
Although Wolves’ priority is signing a number 10 to fill Cunha’s inevitable void, it appears Vitor Pereira is still after some defensive reinforcements.
While Matt Doherty has shone at centre-back, the emergence of Thiago Silvero on Wolves’ radar suggests defence is an area of improvement.
The Old Gold conceded the fourth-most goals in the Premier League last term, and while the arrival of Emmanuel Agbadou helped steady the ship, someone who he knows very well could improve them even more.
Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images
Wolves should swoop for Stade Reims centre-back Cedric Kipre
Wolves signed Agbadou from Stade Reims in January, and now the French side have just been relegated to Ligue 2, perhaps Pereira should swoop for his former teammate, Cedric Kipre.
The 28-year-old only moved to France last summer after leaving rivals West Brom, but he did impose himself in the heart of their defence and formed a strong partnership with Agbadou before he moved to Molineux.
Kipre, who is known for being dominant in aerial duels and outmuscling attackers with his strength, was a popular figure at the Hawthorns and they were sad to see him leave in 2024.
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Now, Wolves should raid Reims once more and take advantage of their relegation by swooping for the Ivory Coast defender, who would bring an array of quality attributes to Pereira’s back three.
As highlighted by FBref, Kipre ranks in the top 12% of defenders across Europe for blocks and the top 10% for clearances in the past year.
It highlights that the former Baggies defender would be a solid option at the back. Yerson Mosquera doesn’t return until pre-season, Doherty isn’t a long-term solution at centre-back, Nasser Djiga isn’t ready to start regularly, and Santiago Bueno isn’t strong enough.
All of the above variables indicate that Kipre could challenge for a place in defence, with Agbadou and Toti Gomes already nailed on.
Every player who has played for West Brom and Wolves
If the Wanderers did try and prise Kipre to Molineux, he would join an exclusive list of stars who have played for both West Brom and Wolves.
In the current squad, Sam Johnstone and Craig Dawson, who is leaving on a free transfer, are the only two who have played for both, but there are 12 others.
Players who have played for West Brom and Wolves
Keith Andrews
Craig Dawson
Paul Edwards
Sam Johnstone
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tony Lange
Joleon Lescott
Andy Lonergan
Frank Nouble
Nigel Quashie
Jason Roberts
Bakary Sako
Jed Wallace
Andreas Weimann
Info via FBref
It would be interesting to see how West Brom fans would react if Kipre added his name to that list this summer, although luckily for them, there are no rumours of that happening just yet.