Wolves are still hard at work trying to sign a new striker before Thursday night’s transfer deadline – but it looks like a late pursuit of Yuri Alberto may already be over.
Gary O’Neil has been wanting a new striker all month, having mostly relied on Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan this term.
Earlier in the window, the manager sanctioned the loan exits of Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva, leading Wolves fans to assume a new centre-forward would surely be coming in.
But with just over 24 hours to go in the window, it is touch and go as to whether someone will arrive, with a move for Brazilian striker Alberto potentially hitting the rocks.
Journalist claims Wolves’ offer for Yuri Alberto has been rejected
Earlier today, Wolves fans were presented with the name of Yuri Alberto, who plays for Corinthians.
Apparently, he had become Wolves’ top target and talks had been progressing between the two clubs.
Wolves are thought to have made a loan proposal, with the club unable to spend large amounts of money this month.
But just hours after those initial reports about Alberto, it is now being claimed by Brazilian journalist Pedro Ramiro that Wolves have seen their proposal rejected.
He states on X: “Corinthians denied Yuri Alberto’s loan request to Wolverhampton.
“The board has no interest in loaning him at this moment, without the certainty that they will be able to sell the player.”
Seemingly, they have the same stance over Alberto as Chelsea do over Armando Broja. Wolves made a loan offer earlier this week for the Albania international, but it was dismissed ‘instantly’ because there was no buy option/obligation.
Alberto may still be a possibility, despite loan offer rejection claim
It will be interesting to see how this one develops, because the Corinthians board’s stance could well change.
Ramiro does say ‘at this moment’, which may well suggest a move could still happen. According to Globo Esporte, Corinthians are set to land striker Pedro Raul from Mexican club Toluca, so perhaps if this gets over the line then there will be more of a willingness to part with Alberto. Although it does seem like the main sticking point right now is the lack of a buy option/obligation.
If Wolves are serious about signing Alberto, it may well be that they need to present a loan offer that includes an obligation to buy.
But whether the club decide to do that remains to be seen. Ultimately, obligations to buy players are always a risk, given they may not perform.