Wolves striker Raul Jimenez looks like he is on the move to their Premier League rivals Fulham. The potential loss of their Mexican talisman would be an undoubted setback ahead of the new season.
If, as expected, a cut-price £5m deal goes through, who could be lined up as a ready-made replacement?
Could they make a late play for a striker with their own Fulham back-story? It is surprising that Moussa Dembélé, at just 27 years old, remains available. His multi-year contract with Lyon expired this summer and he has yet to be snapped up.
Speculation is growing that he may join Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia but, with no deal yet finalised, there remains the chance of a return to the Premier League for the mercurial striker who started his senior career at Fulham.
Raul Jimenez replacements – a look to youth?
Or perhaps they will seek to snap up the latest French prospect?
Montpellier forward Elye Wahi is second only to a certain Kylian Mbappe in the shortest time taken to hit 20 goals in France’s Ligue 1. Wolves have been credited with an interest in a forward who has already featured for his national side at under-21 level but they would have to move quickly.
Chelsea are also rumoured to be seeking talks. The key difference being they are looking at a potential long-term deal that would immediately loan Wahi back to one of Montpellier’s domestic rivals.
Another youthful option could be 19-year-old Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti. There is already a buzz around a player who has recently broken into the Sporting Lisbon senior squad.
The player shows much promise and was unfortunate to miss out on a call-up to the Portugal under-19 squad for the recent European Championship. He is tall and acts as a focal point for the attack but it remains to be seen if Wolves are willing to take a risk on a player so early in his career.
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— Wolves (@Wolves) July 13, 2023
Wolves also have an active interest in Boca Juniors striker Mateo Retegui. He is currently on loan at Club Atlético Tigre where he has scored 28 goals in 39 appearances.
Despite being Argentinian-born, the 24-year-old represents Italy and has grabbed two goals in his first three international appearances – including one against England in a European Championship qualifier.
A young striker with a growing track record might be just the ticket to bolster the attacking returns of the team who were the Premier League’s lowest goal-scorers last season.
