Wolves target Nicolas Jackson has ‘extraordinary potential’, according to his manager at Villarreal Quique Setien.
The 21-year-old is staying in Spain, after a proposed move to Bournemouth fell through.
Jackson actually got as far as having a medical with the Cherries.
But he failed it when Bournemouth doctors deemed his current hamstring injury ‘more serious’ than initially thought.
Jackson returned to Villarreal, where he will now continue his recovery.
Prior to that medical with Bournemouth, Wolves apparently made a bid to sign Jackson.
AS reported that Wanderers proposed to take him on loan for the rest of the season. The offer supposedly included an option to buy in the summer. But Villarreal rejected the offer. They were only open to selling in this window.
Wolves have apparently been tracking Jackson for a while.
It will be interesting to see if he is someone the club make a move for in the summer. Staying in the Premier League would of course be crucial if they did want to sign him.
Jackson had been set to join Bournemouth for around £20 million. But Villarreal boss Setien has now said the club will work to develop him so that he’s worth double that figure in the summer.
He said of the youngster (Football Espana): “The fact that he stays is like having made a signing. We haven’t had to shell out any money, and we know him. He has extraordinary potential. We are going to try to make him worth twice as much in the summer.
“(He needs to) focus on the team and score goals to achieve our goals. He is disappointed (about the failed transfer), but he is delighted to be there for six more months. Instead of €20 million, let’s transfer him for €40 million.”
Nicolas Jackson is one for Wolves to keep an eye on
There could be a situation this summer where Wolves lose both Raul Jimenez and Diego Costa.
Jimenez has been linked with an exit from Wolves since the start of the season. And the Mexican may feel it’s time for a new chapter in the summer.
Costa was brought after Sasa Kalajdzic got a long-term knee injury. He may not be offered a new deal.
So that would potentially leave Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva as the only two out-and-out strikers at the club for 2023/24.
Assuming Wolves don’t sign a striker in the next 48 hours, it’s very possible the club will get someone in in the summer.
Jackson is a young player with a high ceiling. If Wolves do go for him though, there will probably be competition in the form of Bournemouth, who clearly wanted him this window.