Wolves are turning their attention to the summer transfer window, with one target that the club were linked to in 2023 now re-emerging.
With just one game of the 2023/24 campaign left to play, Wolves will soon turn their attention towards the improvements needed over the summer ahead of next season.
Gary O’Neil has fired warnings to Fosun ahead of the opening of the transfer window, with support and attention needed to ensure the squad is replenished to allow the manager’s project to progress.
After the difficulties that Wolves faced in the summer of 2023, it’s imperative that O’Neil receives financial backing from the owners at Molineux, with several areas requiring added depth this summer.
One position that has seen the Old Gold’s form suffer in recent months is the front line, with the manager crying out for attacking reinforcements, with one potential target now identified.
Wolves interested in Fluminense winger Jhon Arias, who is also wanted by Atletico Madrid
Yesterday, Colombian outlet Canal RCN, listed Wolves as one of the clubs interested in Fluminense forward Jhon Arias, who is a wanted man ahead of the transfer window.
The report details that alongside the Old Gold are Premier League sides West Ham, Crystal Palace and Burnley, with Rangers also mentioned as an interested party.
Most prominently, it’s claimed that Atletico Madrid would be willing to ‘do everything possible’ to sign the 26-year-old, who is generating a lot of attention in Europe.
Galatasaray are said to be in a position of wanting to offer as high as €20m (£17m) for the versatile attacker, who is out of contract in Brazil in the summer of 2026.
The report gives the impression that €20m would be a high figure for the Colombian, which could make him a particularly interesting target for Wolves to track based on what O’Neil needs and how much the Old Gold are likely to have to spend.
Jhon Arias could be the perfect player for Gary O’Neil
Interestingly, in 2023 Wolves were credited with having an interest in Arias, whose agent confirmed had been admired by Premier League clubs, as relayed by HITC.
Fast forward to now, and the Midlands club’s interest makes even more sense, considering what O’Neil is hoping to add to his squad in the summer ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Once lauded as Fluminense’s “unsung hero” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Arias’ versatility and potency in the final third could make him a valuable asset for Wolves to track.
Over the 2022 and 2023 Serie A seasons, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 31 goal contributions, scoring 14 goals and assisting 17 times in a combined 62 appearances, via Transfermarkt.
Deployed primarily on the left wing, Arias is more than capable of playing attacking midfield, centre-forward and on the right flank, expressing how beneficial an acquisition he could be to O’Neil’s limited line of attack.
Wolves won’t be afraid of dipping into the South American market, with the January 2023 signing of Joao Gomes proving to be a stellar piece of business by the Old Gold, a method that could be replicated by signing Arias.
Referring to yesterday’s report, it’s likely that O’Neil will have to sell his project to the player, with a host of potential suitors knocking at his door.
