Wolves can repeat Emmanuel Agbadou masterstroke with move for ‘exceptional’ 12-goal star

In the January transfer window, Wolves revolutionised their defence with the capture of Emmanuel Agbadou from Stade Reims.

The Ivorian arrived as a relatively unknown quantity, but he quickly endeared himself to the Wolves faithful with some exceptional performances after Vitor Pereira convinced the club to sign Agbadou.

Before the 27-year-old was captured for £16.6 million from Stade Reims, Pereira took charge of a shaky defence, marshalled by the much-criticised Santiago Bueno.

But with a powerhouse replacing Bueno in the heart of their back three, who is equally comfortable on the ball, Agbadou has become one of the Wanderers’ most influential signings alongside Marshall Munetsi.

Now, after enjoying previous success shopping in Ligue 1, Wolves should return to Stade Reims to sign an attacking phenom.

• READ MORE: Mario Lemina could be set for shock reunion with ‘quality’ Wolves player this summer

Wolves should go for Keito Nakamura after Stade Reims’ relegation

Pereira will need attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window. As Matheus Cunha is set to join Manchester United, and the likes of Hwang Hee-chan and Goncalo Guedes are being put on the chopping block, more ammunition is required for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

There are plenty of options available in the market; however, following Stade Reims’ relegation to Ligue 2 on Thursday, Pereira should look at Keito Nakamura as a potential attacking option.

Nakamura was exceptional for the French side in 2024/25, scoring 12 and laying on three assists in all competitions.

Although his contributions weren’t enough to save his side, the Japanese international possesses the agility, work rate and finishing ability to become an instant hit in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old is also positionally versatile. Despite predominantly playing as a left winger, he can play as an attacking midfielder or centre-forward, and he could flourish in one of Pereira’s number 10 positions.

• READ MORE: Conor Coady tipped ‘fantastic’ Wolves player for success, now he could leave Molineux for £45m

Nakamura can join Japanese stars gracing English football

In the summer of 2023, Liverpool saw a bid rejected for Nakamura when he was plying his trade for LASK, and he also had interest from Aston Villa.

Wolves could make the Reds have transfer regret by signing him this summer, and in turn, become the latest Japanese prodigy to move over to the Premier League.

Mitoma, who has scored against Wolves in the past, is the best Japanese star playing in England, but newly-promoted Leeds United also boast Ao Tanaka.

The ‘exceptional’ Nakamura could join that list by signing for the Old Gold, and surely after Reims’ relegation, he’ll command interest.