Wolves tried and failed to sign a striker in the January transfer window – and one player they targeted is now really showing Gary O’Neil and the recruitment team what they are missing.
Very early on it was reported that O’Neil wanted a new number nine above all else.
He sanctioned the loan exits of Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva, seemingly confident that he would get his wish.
But Wolves didn’t sign anyone for the position in the end, bringing in only 18-year-old wide forward Noha Lemina on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Armando Broja was a player Wolves tried to sign on deadline day, but the club were priced out by Chelsea’s demands. He may now be wishing he moved to Molineux, after barely featuring for Fulham.
But someone Wolves looked at just before Broja has been playing – and playing well.
Yuri Alberto in hot form for Corinthians after failed Wolves move
On the day before deadline day, reports surfaced about interest from Wolves in Yuri Alberto, a striker for Corinthians.
It was suggested that he had become the club’s main target, after struggling to sign Broja and Che Adams.
But by the morning of deadline day, Wolves’ hopes of landing Alberto were over. Apparently, the player’s agent demanded more money at the last minute, leading to the deal collapsing.
Alberto had been set to join, with Wolves reportedly agreeing a £2 million fee for a loan until the end of the season. There was also a buy option of £15 million.
But it has since been claimed that Alberto’s agent demanded an extra £790,000, prompting Wolves to walk away.
Since the move to Wolves collapsed, Alberto has not exactly been kicking his heels. He’s been getting on with things, and has actually come into some great form.
He has scored five goals in his seven appearances since Wolves’ late pursuit.
Yuri Alberto may become a summer target for Wolves
So Alberto has responded pretty well to not getting his move to Wolves. Unlike Boulaye Dia at Salernitana, who has had disciplinary problems after Wolves tried to land him last summer.
The ‘strong’ centre-forward is, therefore, someone to keep an eye out for in the coming months heading into the summer.
We have seen it before where Wolves have been unable to sign a player, but later gone back in for them.
Last season, Wolves tried to sign Craig Dawson ahead of the 2022/23 season, but actually landed him in January 2023. Mario Lemina was a player Wolves had on their radar for years, before finally swooping in January 2023.
So the club are not opposed to going back in for players they’ve missed out on.
But one does just wonder if what happened with the agent might cause Wolves to think twice.
