Nailing down a replacement for captain Nelson Semedo has proven difficult for Wolves, seeing several of their targets move elsewhere.
Wolves had their eyes on Kyle Walker-Peters following his exit from Southampton, although the 28-year-old preferred a move back to London and has joined West Ham United.
The Wanderers were also close to signing Almeria right-back Marc Pubill before Atletico Madrid completed a last-minute hijack for the 22-year-old.
Pubill will join Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract, and while it is news that will undoubtedly anger Vitor Pereira, there could be a silver lining for the Portuguese tactician.
Wolves should swoop for Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo
Wolves are desperate to land a replacement for captain Nelson Semedo, who has left the club despite being offered a lucrative four-year contract.
Losing out on Pubill means the Wanderers hierarchy have turned their attention elsewhere, perhaps staying in Spain to locate an alternative.
The Old Gold should join the race for Manchester City academy graduate Pablo Maffeo, who is currently playing his football in La Liga with RCD Mallorca.
Maffeo is currently being chased by former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest, although according to MARCA, talks between the two clubs have broken down.
Mallorca wanted £8 million for the 28-year-old, and Forest are unwilling to pay that amount as it appears they’re focused on signing Atleti defender Nahuel Molina instead.
At a price of just £8m, surely Wolves should use this as an opportunity to swoop in for the wing-back, who would offer pace, energy and dynamism down the right flank.
The Spaniard has amassed 128 appearances since joining Mallorca in 2021 and recorded 17 goal involvements, emphasising his ability as an attacking force.
Maffeo has also excelled with his defensive work, receiving huge praise from the great Lionel Messi in the past.
Lionel Messi says Maffeo is the ‘hardest defender’ he’s faced
Messi is one of the greatest dribblers of all time, combining his low centre of gravity and incredible ball control to weave in and out of defenders.
The Barcelona legend is one of the trickiest customers any professional will face, causing the opposition nightmares on countless occasions throughout his career.
However, there was one player he could not get the better of during his time at Barca, naming Maffeo as the ‘hardest defender’ he’s faced.
“Pablo Maffeo, when he was at Girona, was the hardest defender I’ve ever faced. I’ve never been one to complain. I believe that physical contact is part of football,” Messi was quoted as saying by The Athletic after failing to score against Maffeo’s former club Girona during a 3-0 victory for Barca in September 2017.
Understandably, the right-back was honoured, responding: “It’s the best recognition from the best player in history. We lost that game, but the experience will always mark my life.”
Praise from arguably the greatest player of all time is one of several reasons why Wolves must swoop for Maffeo.