Sometimes players get linked with clubs, don’t move there, and go on to shine elsewhere – and there appears to be the case with one star Julen Lopetegui reportedly fancied bringing to Molineux.
Lopetegui oversaw a handful of additions in January 2023 shortly after signing up as manager.
In the end, Wolves were able to survive last term, with signings like Mario Lemina and Craig Dawson having really big impacts.
Lopetegui would then leave Wolves just days before the 2023/24 season, having grown frustrated with the club’s financial situation. Apparently, he felt the goalposts had been moved regarding what the board were telling him about transfers.
Reportedly, Isco was a player Lopetegui fancied – and he has absolutely shone since joining Real Betis…
Amazing Isco statistic now emerges after Wolves transfer links in 2023
Lopetegui left his post at Sevilla in early October, and then became Wolves manager around a month later, after initially saying no.
Leading into the January transfer window, it was suggested that Lopetegui had interest in Isco, a player he knew well from his time at Sevilla. He also had the playmaker during his brief spell in charge at Real Madrid.
Isco had become a free agent and was looking for a new club. It seems like there could have been a chance of him following Lopetegui to Wolverhampton.
In the end, nothing materialised.
Isco then signed for Real Betis in July 2023 – and what a season it has been for the Spaniard.
Isco has made 35 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring nine goals and making seven assists. They are decent numbers, but there is another statistic that is far more impressive.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Isco was actually named Player of the Match 19 times in the 28 matches he played in La Liga.
Wolves seemingly missed out on a top player
We don’t know exactly how close, if at all, Wolves came to signing Isco when he was a free agent.
But if we are to assume Wolves did try, then he certainly looks to be one that got away.
Isco, 32, has gone to Betis and absolutely dazzled, helping the club to sixth in the table in La Liga. Just a few games remain, and the club have a great chance of securing European football.
He has been by far and away Betis’ best player in 2023/24 and it looks like Wolves have missed out on a player who still has plenty to offer.
He may not have performed the same had he come to Molineux, rather than stayed in a league he obviously knows very well.
But Isco has just been a top player for a long time, and could have made a decent signing for Wolves. He also would not have cost anything in terms of a transfer fee, which makes it slightly frustrating.
