Wolves made a fast start to the transfer window and they could bolster their defence by acquiring an ‘extraordinary’ upgrade on Max Kilman.
In an attempt to progress as a club heading into next season, Wolves have completed some of their business early.
Having captured Tommy Doyle and Rodrigo Gomes permanently, only a medical stands in the way of Pedro Lima joining while striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is in advanced talks over a move to Molineux.
A productive summer of incomings could also see multiple players leave – including Max Kilman – who is attracting significant interest from West Ham.
The Old Gold have already rejected multiple bids for Kilman, the latest being £30 million, as Fosun holds firm in his £45 million asking price.
Gary O’Neil has previously said he wants to keep his captain at the club, although there remains a strong possibility that he will leave and he’ll need to find a replacement.
Wolves should join the race for Riccardo Calafiori
Reports have linked Arsenal, Liverpool and several other Premier League clubs to Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori.
Currently starring for Italy at Euro 2024, and earning ‘extraordinary’ praise from Italian icon Gianluca Zambrotta, the 22-year-old has proven with his displays on the international stage that he’s ready for a big money move this summer.
TuttoMercatoWeb valued the left-sided centre-back at around £34 million and on the evidence of his displays in the Serie A, Wolves should pounce at the opportunity to land an upgrade on Kilman.
Calafiori impressed across an array of defensive and technical metrics in 2023/24 as he featured 30 times in the league for Bologna, who qualified for the Champions League, while continuing his form at his debut tournament for Italy.
Why Riccardo Calafiori would be an upgrade on Max Kilman
To place Wolves in the race for a defender who is wanted by some European clubs is ambitious, to say the least, but O’Neil could offer him what the rest can’t, and that is guaranteed game time.
If the Wanderers were to sell Kilman to an interested party, they would need to find a replacement for the Englishman. So, providing they get around £45m for the Englishman, spending £34m on that of Calafiori would be a smart investment.
A dominant and progressive ball-playing defender, capable of operating centrally or on the left side of the back line, the young Italian outperformed Kilman across multiple areas last term.
From the number of progressive passes he makes per game to his frequency of tackles and interceptions, Calafiori has exceeded Kilman in every single department, perhaps underscoring why he’s currently making a mockery of his £34m value.
The Italian stalwart would also offer O’Neil positional versatility, having played as a central centre-back, on the left of a back three and as a left-back for Bologna.
To fend off interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs would be a tough ask however, Calafiori is one name O’Neil should place on his shortlist if Kilman leaves.
