Wolves have satisfied their appetite for signing young players this summer and latest reports suggest they could continue that trend.
It’s just over a week until Wolves kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Arsenal and the feeling around Molineux is one of excitement.
The Old Gold have endured intense training sessions in Marbella and Miami while picking up impressive results against West Ham and RB Leipzig.
For Gary O’Neil, pre-season has presented an opportunity to see his new signings in action, with Pedro Lima, Rodrigo Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen all looking the part.
O’Neil can be pleased with how his new additions have settled in but the Wolves boss is after more and could make a promising defender his fifth summer signing.
Wolves make offer for Nantes defender Bastien Meupiyou
Following the departure of captain Max Kilman to West Ham, there have been calls for the Wanderers to strengthen their back line.
Much like most of their summer business, O’Neil has one eye firmly on the future and reports in France indicate that trend continuing.
According to French publication Ouest, Nantes have received two offers from Wolves for 18-year-old centre-back Bastien Meupiyou, who has previously attracted interest from Tottenham and Man City.
The report claims that the second offer Wolves proposed was €4 million (£3.4m), with the Ligue 1 side refusing to agree on a deal.
With one year left on his contract, Nantes run the risk of losing him on the cheap and manager Antoine Kombouare previously said: “He has to extend, otherwise he’ll leave.”
Meupiyou’s agent is Jorge Mendes, the man who has had a great influence on Wolves transfers over the years, having lured the likes of Diogo Jota, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves to Wolverhampton.
Mendes could have a positive influence once more by helping the Old Gold land one of Europe’s most promising defenders.
Why Wolves should sign Bastien Meupiyou
Dubbed a ‘dominant’ presence at the back by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 2006-born star is one for the future.
Although he’s only made one senior appearance in Ligue 1, with injury hampering his progression, Meupiyou possesses exceptional versatility, having played as a defensive midfielder, centre-back and left-back in the early stages of his career.
O’Neil likes his players to be able to operate in multiple positions and Meupiyou, a French under-18 international, certainly ticks that box.
Standing at 6 foot 2, the precocious talent is also a commanding presence at the back and can win aerial duels for fun, making him tailor-made for Premier League football.
Whilst he wouldn’t necessarily start straight away for Wolves, Craig Dawson is coming to the end of his career and a long-term replacement is needed – Meupiyou could be a fine successor to the Englishman.