Julen Lopetegui is keeping a close eye on Fabio Silva’s progress and wants the player back for pre-season, according to Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs.
The youngster has today completed a loan move to PSV Eindhoven.
Silva had been at Anderlecht for the first half of 2022/23.
It had been a fairly productive spell for the 20-year-old, who hit 11 goals for the club this term.
But the decision has been made to facilitate a new move for him for the second half of the season.
He will now link up with Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV, and potentially be part of a title push. PSV are currently three points behind leaders Feyenoord.
Wolves have very high hopes for Silva.
The club forked out a whopping £35.6 million for him in the summer of 2020, and it was a struggle for him in his first couple of campaigns.
He didn’t choose his price tag, but was thrust into the spotlight following the head injury to Raul Jimenez in November 2020.
Wolves had not intended for him to play as much as he did in his first season.
In his second term, he struggled for minutes, with Bruno Lage showing unwavering faith in Jimenez following his return.
Silva is now looking to kick on at PSV, and working with van Nistelrooy is likely to really boost his development.
Ideally, he’ll be in a position to at least be contending for a starting sport at Wolves next season.
And it sounds as though Lopetegui is definitely hopeful of that.
Sporting director Hobbs told the club’s official website: “The club invested in a young player with high potential, and he showed glimpses of his talent here at Wolves, and at Anderlecht we saw him score regularly, so we’re looking for the same at PSV.
“Julen wants him to be back here for pre-season to see how he’s developed. The manager is keeping a close eye on him.”
Fabio Silva under the microscope as Matt Hobbs makes Julen Lopetegui claim
This is an interesting remark from Hobbs, as Silva prepares to embark on a new challenge with PSV.
It sounds as though Lopetegui is very invested in Silva and has high hopes for the youngster himself.
Given what Wolves paid for Silva, it would be fantastic if he eventually did become the player everyone hoped.
Hopefully, with Silva knowing Lopetegui is keeping an eye on his progress, he will really seize his moment in the Netherlands.