Wolves are reportedly interested in FC Metz striker Georges Mikautadze.
That is the claim today from French outlet Le10 Sport.
Mikautadze is just about to finish a wonderful season over in France, where he scored 23 goals for the Ligue 2 side. He has just been named Player of the Season.
There is one round of fixtures left, and Metz can achieve promotion to Ligue 1. Currently, they are second on 69 points. They are three behind leaders Le Havre, and have the same amount as Bordeaux, who have a slightly worse goal difference.
Mikautadze’s exploits this season have led to interest from a number of clubs, with Lyon particularly keen. No offer has come in from them yet.
He is valued at around £17 million, an asking price that apparently causes Lyon to hesitate.
But there is also interest from two English clubs. Wolves and Burnley are mentioned as being keen.
It is stated that both Wanderers and the Clarets are ready to come in and meet that £17 million asking price.
Of course at the moment, Wolves are dealing with some financial issues.
The club must balance the books after spending a lot of money this season, and player sales will be necessary this summer.
It has been suggested that Wolves will not have a particularly big transfer budget.
Wolves, of course, only did business with Metz last year. The club signed Boubacar Traore on an initial loan. Traore played three times with Metz and Mikautadze before leaving for Molineux.
FC Metz striker Georges Mikautadze has been in red-hot form but would be a huge risk by Wolves
There is no denying Mikautadze has had a very good season. 23 goals is a fantastic return, and he’s also made eight assists in the league.
But he has obviously been playing in Ligue 2, and so it would then be quite a big step up to play Premier League football.
Mikautadze’s club before Metz was FC Seraing, who play in the Belgian top-flight. He scored 36 goals in 57 games for them. That’s a very respectable output, but the standard of that league just doesn’t hold a candle to the Premier League.
That said, he does have some international pedigree, having earned 14 caps for Georgia. He’s scored three times for his country.
To sign this player for £17 million would be a big risk.
Wolves have seriously struggled to score goals for a while now and could do with bringing in a proven number nine this summer. Someone that has scored goals regularly in a top five league would be ideal.
Mikautadze is clearly a talent with potential. But Wolves may not be able to justify shelling out £17 million on someone like him just at the moment.