The January transfer window is edging ever closer and for Wolves, it’s clear which key position needs prioritising.
Wolves currently boast the worst defence in the Premier League with 27 goals conceded and rank fourth worst for expected goals against.
The Old Gold were made to rue the decision not to replace captain Max Kilman, especially after Yerson Mosquera suffered a season-ending injury, leaving Gary O’Neil with just three senior centre-backs.
O’Neil has sandwiched the veteran Craig Dawson between Santi Bueno and Toti Gomes, although Bueno is fighting for his fitness ahead of Fulham, and could miss out through injury.
Wolves have already placed three centre-backs on their transfer shortlist, including Dan Ballard, Christopher Wooh and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
It remains to be seen whether any of those names are serious targets, though successfully signing a central defender should see O’Neil prioritise another position.
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Wolves need to sign a new winger in January
A new central defender is the clear priority but there are several reasons why O’Neil should try and sign a winger in the January transfer window.
Currently, Wolves have several options to start alongside Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen in the front three, including Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Hwang Hee-chan, Pablo Sarabia, Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Forbs.
From that depth alone, it seems overkill to add another player into that position but there is at least one issue with each of the above names.
Ricner Bellegarde is better centrally, Hwang is only just recovering from an injury, and Sarabia looks set to leave when his contract expires in 2025.
Alongside those names, Carlos Forbs is yet to hit the ground running and is only on loan while Guedes could leave in January amid interest from Villarreal.
While Sarabia has been the preferred option for O’Neil in recent weeks, he could do with some additional pace and quality to impact the starting XI.
Wolves could go back in for Burnley’s Luca Koleosho
Wolves were linked with numerous wingers during the transfer window and ended up signing Forbs on loan on deadline day, with the 20-year-old boasting an option to buy in his contract.
Forbs wasn’t the only player that was eyed, as Wolves failed in a £20 million bid to sign Luca Koleosho, with the Clarets demanding a whopping £40 million for the winger.
It became clear that Burnley wanted to keep the electric talent as they attempted to bounce straight back into the Premier League, and they’re currently fourth in the table.
That said, Wolves should perhaps test the waters with another bid in January as the Italy under-21 international is undeniably talented with a promising long-term potential.
Although he’s only found the net twice in 14 Championship games this time, he has shown incredible quality in the build-up, ranking in the 8% of second-tier wingers for successful take-ons, as per FBref, and the top 9% for progressive passes received.
Koleosho just needs someone to push him to the next level and improve his end product, with O’Neil boasting a track record of improving young talent.