Now that Max Kilman has departed, further change is expected at Molineux and Gary O’Neil could already have the answer to Wolves’ future in one position.
Wolves are braced for change this summer as new faces have arrived and key players are poised to depart.
Max Kilman has already left the club, with Pedro Neto also expected to exit, handing Gary O’Neil several challenges to combat ahead of next season.
While the Old Gold would have preferred to keep Kilman, O’Neil should not be too worried about the future of his defence if the club secures one rumoured target.
Wolves make Josip Sutalo a transfer target after Max Kilman exit
Wolves have been linked to Ajax defender Josip Sutalo, who could be available for around £13m this summer.
The Croatian made the move from his boyhood club of Dinamo Zagreb to Ajax last summer however, the player is believed to be unsettled in the Netherlands.
Sutalo, who was eyed by Arsenal in 2023 [via Firenzeviola], could now be on the move once more, with Wolves one of the clubs credited with interest in the centre-back.
Links to the highly-rated Croatia international come at an interesting time for the Old Gold, who will be on the prowl for a replacement for Kilman although, O’Neil may already have his answer to the Englishman.
Sutalo and Yerson Mosquera could be the future of Gary O’Neil’s defence
Wolves have started their pre-season training schedule, giving O’Neil the chance to finally assess Yerson Mosquera, who spent last season on loan at Villarreal.
The Colombian centre-back dazzled in La Liga last term, leading to Villarreal wanting to sign the Wolves player permanently.
Instead, O’Neil will judge the defender for himself ahead of the 2024/25 season, with there a belief that the 23-year-old could replace Kilman.
Taking to his Express and Star column, former Wolves ace Dave Edwards admitted that he see’s Mosquera as part of a ‘ready-made line-up’ for O’Neil to consider in Kilman’s absence.
With Mosquera as a Kilman replacement, interest in Sutalo now provides the manager with a possible pairing to power Wolves for years to come.
If the Midlands club were to secure the Croatian’s signature, O’Neil could have his eventual heir to Craig Dawson who at 34, isn’t getting any younger.
In Mosquera and Sutalo, Wolves could have two highly-rated centre-backs under the age of 25, which could particularly come of use to the boss if rumours of him switching to a back four are true.
The Old Gold could unearth a pairing for the future if Wolves can fund the signing of Sutalo, who was once described as an “elite passer” of the ball by analyst Ben Mattinson.
It will be interesting to see if Mosquera’s future remains at Molineux after pre-season and equally, if Wolves go after Sutalo, who could leave Ajax this summer.