Old Gold is interested in signing a “talented” starlet.

Gary O’Neil is looking for a new left-back ahead of the January transfer deadline.

 

According to a source, Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing a “talented” youngster who is desired by a slew of Europe’s top clubs.

What is the most recent Wolves transfer news?

Wolves have had a poor start to the Premier League season, currently lying in 16th place after losing four of their first five games, and they have been particularly unimpressive defensively.

At this early point of the season, the Old Gold have already conceded 11 goals, the second-highest total of any team in the Premier League, most recently falling 3-1 at home to Liverpool.

However, Gary O’Neil should not panic just yet, given that his team has faced tough opponents in Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Liverpool, and there have been few recent links to any new arrivals.

One of the few players Wolves have been linked with is Portuguese free agent Xeka, who has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs after his contract with Rennes expired.

According to 90min, the Old Gold are also interested in signing Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco, but winning the race for the 19-year-old may be difficult, as a number of Europe’s elite teams are now vying for his signature.

Brighton are the frontrunners for the teenager, although Manchester City, Chelsea, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest have all been keeping an eye on him in recent weeks, with Wolves also sending scouts to check on him.

Boca Juniors are eager to sign a new contract with the defender, as his present contract has a release clause of only £8 million, and they think he will be prepared to extend his time at La Bombonera.

Despite the £8m release clause, Football Insider has stated that a fee of about £15m may be required to entice the Argentine Primera Division club into a transfer, however this is unlikely to be a barrier for the top English sides.

Should Wolves bring in a left-back?

It may not be sensible for the Molineux club to spend £15 million on a new left-back, given that O’Neil already has a bright young option in Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has started all five Premier League games this season.

When compared to his positional contemporaries, Ait-Nouri is in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 over the last year, and in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons, demonstrating his offensive danger, therefore left-back is not a position O’Neil urgently needs to reinforce.

Having been described as “one of the most talented left-backs in world football” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, if Wolves are able to win the race for Barco’s signature, he could be a tremendous long-term addition to the squad.

Kulig has also stated that the Boca talent is “the future” of Argentinian football, although it appears doubtful that he will make the move to Molineux, given the interest from Manchester City, Brighton, and Newcastle.