Wolves are closing in on making Celta Vigo starlet Fer Lopez their first signing of the summer transfer window.
The window started with two major sales, as Matheus Cunha signed for Manchester United and Rayan Ait-Nouri followed by signing for Manchester City.
Now, Vitor Pereira and Wolves’ new-look hierarchy are working to replenish the squad, with Lopez representing an eventual successor to Cunha.
Lopez is tipped to achieve great things in his career, and at 21, he’s got an insanely high ceiling and a lot of attributes that could make him a loved figure in the West Midlands.
Dave Edwards highlights Fer Lopez’s shooting strengths
Some Wolves fans are sceptical about Lopez’s pending arrival due to the £21m price tag that the Old Gold are reported to be in line to pay.
It’s a possibility that, like Jorgen Strand Larsen, the Spaniard could arrive on an initial loan before Wolves pay the fee to make his move permanent.
The bottom line is that Pereira needs some creative talent to bolster his squad after the departure of Cunha, and Wolves icon Dave Edwards has high hopes for Lopez.
Taking to his Express and Star column, Edwards unpacked what he’s noticed when watching the 21-year-old in action.
“He’s a left-footer that will play more off the right and likes to roll in on his left foot. He’s a really good size as well, he’s quite a tall, imposing figure, but he’s got wonderful balance, the way he glides with the ball, and he’s got a lovely left foot.”
What Edwards said next will be of real interest to Wolves, as Lopez has been identified as a player capable of scoring from long range.
“If you look at some of the goals he scores, some of the shots he’s taken in his professional career, that could be a real weapon for us.”
Cunha scored five goals from outside of the box last season in the Premier League, and now, the Old Gold can replace the Brazilian’s ability with a player who shares the long-range quality.
Ruben Neves was Wolves’ sharpshooter
Before last season, Wolves struggled to score from outside of the box in the league, as one figure’s departure became more and more prominent.
In regard to shooting from long-range, Ruben Neves walked so Cunha could run at Molineux, with the former captain being the king of scoring sublime goals from distance.
| Season | Shots outside the box | Goals from outside the box |
| 2022/23 | 51 | 2 |
| 2021/22 | 39 | 3 |
| 2020/21 | 53 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | 59 | 2 |
| 2018/19 | 31 | 2 |
As seen above, Neves consistently tried his luck from outside of the box, which is something Lopez could now do to restore some of the Portugal international’s magic in WV1.
If the Spaniard turns out to be anything like Neves was with the ball at his feet, then Wolves are in for a treat, with there a lot about the playmaker to get excited about.