Wolves need to sign a new centre-forward this summer.
2021/22 got off to a slow start for Wanderers in terms of goalscoring.
Things have picked up slightly since the start of 2022, but arguably, for the number of chances the team has created, Wolves should have scored a lot more.
Raul Jimenez has had some great outings this term.
But it is clear, sadly, that he is not quite the same player as before he suffered that awful head injury.
Maybe he will get back to his pre-injury levels, maybe he won’t.
And then there is Fabio Silva. The youngster has shown some real signs of progress over the last few months.
But he’s still without a goal to his name for Wanderers this season.
Jimenez and Silva are the two natural centre-forwards at Bruno Lage’s disposal right now.
The manager likes their profiles, and recently suggested in a press conference that he would like to bring someone in who is not so dissimilar from them.
He said (via Birmingham Mail): “You can also have a young guy to be that striker in the box to win the aerial duels.
“It’s not to bring one guy to stay in front of Fabio, it’s to bring one guy to have different profiles.”
Today, Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a move to Newcastle United (Telegraph).
The Magpies are looking to bolster their attacking options for next season.
One can’t help but feel that Toney is someone Wolves should also be looking to try and sign ahead of 2022/23.
He’s managed to score 12 goals and make four assists so far in the Premier League. Some of those goals have admittedly come from the penalty spot, but it’s still a decent return.
But Toney could well fit the bill for Lage. According to Squawka, he has won the fourth-most aerial duels so far. And he’s won the second-most flick-ons.
He is clearly someone who excels in the air, and could make for a great addition.
Wolves need to make some enquiries about Ivan Toney
At 26, Toney is the perfect age. He’s right between the experienced Jimenez and the up-and-coming Silva.
He has now had a taste of the Premier League, and has fared well in the top-flight.
Interestingly, Wolves have actually been linked with Toney before. In March 2021, TEAMtalk reported the club had asked to be kept informed about the ex-Peterborough United striker.
Back then, he was supposedly valued at around £30 million.
It’s likely Brentford would value him more than that now after his exploits this term.
He would likely be expensive. But he’s proven himself in the top-flight now, and he does fit the profile suggested by Lage.
Jimenez turns 31 next month and realistically Wolves do need to start to plan for life after the Mexican anyway.