Wolves are reportedly already turning their attention to the summer transfer window, with reports linking an impressive target to Molineux.
Gary O’Neil will be eager to bolster his team in the summer, as Wolves continue to battle through the adversity of having a small squad.
The manager was aware of the task he was taking on when he took over from Julen Loeptegui just days before the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as the Spaniard departed over concerns about the side’s lack of depth.
This summer must be different for O’Neil with financial restrictions eased through key sales last year, with a desperate need for new faces to walk through the doors at Molineux.
While the transfer speculation surrounding incomings at Wolves has focused on strikers due to the manager’s recent cry for help from Fosun, reports are now linking the Old Gold to a defender ahead of the summer.
Wolves linked to Juventus defender Koni De Winter
As reported by Sports Witness, Wolves are admirers of Belgian centre-back Koni De Winter although, they aren’t alone in their interest.
It’s speculated that fellow Premier League club Everton appreciate the 21-year-old, with the report claiming that it’s ‘no mystery’ that the two English sides are eyeing the highly-rated youngster.
Another element of the report is that if either of the Premier League clubs wish to sign De Winter, they will have to produce an ‘important offer’ to Genoa, who are to buy the youngster in the summer.
While De Winter is currently on loan from Juventus, the Serie A giants have an obligation to sell the defender to Genoa, who are claimed by the report to have to pay €8m (£7m) to make his move permanent.
It’s said that the Belgium international could be pried away from Genoa for a reasonable fee, which would, by assumption, be higher than the £7m they are due to pay Juve.
Who is Koni De Winter and would he be a good signing for Wolves?
At just 21, De Winter has a host of experience under his belt, playing in Italy’s top flight with both Empoli and Genoa, as well as making Champions League appearances for Juventus.
Once lauded as “unreal” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, who described the defender as having an impressive level of “in-game intelligence”, the 6 foot 2 dynamo could be the ideal fit for O’Neil’s squad.
The reason for this is his similarities in playing style to Toti Gomes, who has fitted seamlessly into the manager’s back three due to his versatility in defence.
Like Toti, De Winter is well equipped to play either as a centre-back or full-back, with him being unleashed at times on the right side of defence, just as Toti is for O’Neil in his back line.
It would be interesting to see O’Neil bolster his defence, particularly with a rising talent as prominent as the reported target, who would undoubtedly be a strong signing for Wolves to acquire.