Wolves have been linked with a move for Nacho Fernandez of Real Madrid.
The centre-back is out of contract next summer, and is potentially going much cheaper than his true value in January.
Real need to decide whether there is more value in keeping him for the rest of the season and letting him leave for nothing, or seeing what they can get for him.
Game time has been hard to come by this term for Nacho.
He’s made 10 appearances so far, but for only 412 minutes of time on the pitch.
Nacho has been with Real Madrid his whole career, making his first-team debut for the club back in April 2011 in a 6-3 victory over Valencia.
During his time at the Bernabeu, he’s never really become a regular starter.
He has racked up a respectable 285 appearances. But a lot of the time he has played second fiddle to the likes of Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Raphael Varane and more recently, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.
Despite never truly muscling his way into the starting XI, Nacho is a firm favorite a the Bernabeu, and has something of a cult hero status.
He is considered a very, very good squad player. Back in 2016, managingmadrid.com branded him ‘one of the best squad players on the planet’, ‘underrated’ and ‘indispensable’.
Earlier this year, therealchamps.com felt he was one of the five unsung heroes of Real’s 2021/22 season, hailing his commitment and consistency in a variety of positions. One of his highlights of that campaign was a game against PSG in which he ‘completely silenced Achraf Hakimi and Leo Messi as a left-back’.
Nacho’s versatility is perhaps the best thing about him.
He can play anywhere in defence, and generally performs to a high standard wherever he is put.
Nacho Fernandez would be a perfect signing for Wolves
If Julen Lopetegui really does want Nacho Fernandez in January, then Wolves officials must endeavour to make it happen.
It’s easy to see why the Spaniard would want him.
Fernandez has spent years playing at the top level. He’s been a part of a winning culture for a long time, and is vastly experienced at the age of 32. He’s won many titles, including five Champions Leagues.
Currently, Wolves are lacking a centre-half with a large amount of experience. Kilman is the oldest at 25, and he’s only been a regular at Molineux since the start of last season.
Wanderers obviously offloaded Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Romain Saiss in the last window.
So there is absolutely a need to acquire another leader.
Fernandez has worn the captain’s armband for Real many times, and he just feels like a really sensible signing for Wolves to make.