Wolves are expected to sign at least one player in the January transfer window, and there are no prizes for guessing what position they’re targeting.
Wolves are in the market for a new centre-back. Their problems in that position have been exposed this season after failing to address them during the summer.
Max Kilman’s £40 million transfer to West Ham should have seen a replacement brought in but instead, Matt Hobbs felt Wolves didn’t need a defender.
Hobbs’ stance has since come back to bite them as promising youngster Yerson Mosquera suffered an ACL and MCL injury, keeping him out for the campaign.
Meanwhile, Gary O’Neil had to play Mario Lemina at centre-back last weekend. Wolves thumped Fulham 4-1 and Lemina was excellent but it only highlighted the need to strengthen that position.
Wolves could sign long-term target Nico Elvedi in January
As revealed last month, Wolves transfer shortlisted three centre-backs, including Dan Ballard, Christopher Wooh, and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
The Old Gold could have their work cut out signing either of the above trio, as Fosun is unwilling to dip his hands in his pockets.
That said, a report from The Athletic claims that Nico Elvedi, one of the Wanderers’ long-term targets, could emerge as a possibility in the January window.
“One of the longer-standing targets, Switzerland international Nico Elvedi, stayed with Borussia Monchengladbach and could still re-emerge as a possibility, even though his attractive summer release clause has now expired,” it reads.
Wolves have previously scouted Elvedi, who plays in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach, but they never acted on the chance to sign him, despite Elvedi holding an £8.5 million release clause.
While that transfer clause has since expired, the 28-year-old could be a realistic defender they could land in the next window.
Elvedi has been compared to Man City star John Stones
Elvedi is a vastly experienced defender, racking up 266 appearances in the Bundesliga for Gladbach, and become renowned for his ability on the ball.
The Switzerland international has been compared to Manchester City star John Stones for his elegance in possession by the Bundesliga website.
The ball-playing defender is also capable of playing centrally or wide in a three or four-man defence, and that is reminiscent of Stones.
O’Neil likes his back line to be comfortable in possession, and it appears Elvedi could slot into various systems like a glove.
Elvedi has previously been lauded as ‘incredible’ for his defensive attributes and signing him in January could hold the key to survival.