Wolves are continuing their fast start to the summer transfer window as another target has been identified.
Gary O’Neil has already secured the signing of Rodrigo Gomes from Braga, with Brazilian wonderkid Pedro Lima also pending an arrival.
After the lows of last summer, Wolves have started strongly in the transfer window, as O’Neil aims to bolster his 14th-place finishing squad of 2023/24.
The Old Gold have now been linked to another target as the boss eyes essential reinforcements, a player who could help the squad solve one looming problem.
Wolves make contact with transfer target Thomas Beelen
Express and Star have reported that Wolves ‘have enquired’ about Feyenoord centre-back Thomas Beelen, who is said to be valued at £17m.
The report follows on from news in the Netherlands speculating Wolves’ interest in Beelen, who impressed in the Eredivisie last season.
E&S outline that while the Midlands club are admirers of the defender, no contact has been made with Feyenoord, with talks only rumoured to be with the player’s representatives.
The report also offers an insight into Wolves’ stance at signing a new centre-back due to ongoing speculation over Max Kilman’s future, giving O’Neil another problem to solve in defence.
Beelen can help Gary O’Neil solve one problem at Wolves
Regardless of whether Kilman leaves Molineux this summer, O’Neil will be eager to recruit a new central defender.
At the end of last season, the manager watched his side crumble defensively as veteran defender Craig Dawson’s campaign was cut short due to injury.
Aside from the favoured back three of Toti Gomes, Kilman and Dawson, Wolves’ depth is incredibly thin, with Santi Bueno standing alone as the club’s other central defensive option.
While Yerson Mosquera will return to O’Neil’s squad after spending the season on loan at Villarreal, there is no guarantee that the Colombian will remain in the Premier League or impress the boss.
The capture of a player as ‘accomplished’ as Beelen, as he was described by scout Concept Scouting on X, could assist O’Neil in replenishing his options in the position.
As well as adding depth, the 23-year-old would of course add quality, with there very few centre-backs as strong in their distribution as the Wolves target.
In Eredivisie last season, Beelen ranked in the top 4% for his average pass completion rate and rate of progressive passes per 90, giving insight into his strength on the ball, as per FBref.
With Kilman’s future speculated it would be a smart move for the Old Gold to pursue their interest in the highly-rated defender this summer.