Wolves ponder risky striker move with Italian duo circling

Nuno.Espirito.Santo_.Wolves.TEAMtalk

Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone could be heading straight back to Italy on loan just a few weeks after returning from Fiorentina.

The 23-year-old penned an 18-month loan deal with La Viola in January 2020. He made 34 appearances and scored five goals before Nuno Espirito Santo decided to recall him to Molineux.

He was brought back to strengthen Wanderers’ striking options, with Raul Jimenez still out of action. The man with one Italy cap has made two Premier League appearances off the bench.

He has also enjoyed a couple of cup run-outs, starting Wolves’ 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Chorley on Friday.

But it seems as though two Serie A teams are trying to convince Wolves to let him out on loan once again. It was reported last week that Parma were keen but Udinese have now joined his list of suitors.

That is according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who reports that Cutrone favours the Stadio Friuli outfit.

Nuno now has Willian Jose on board and so Cutrone appears surplus to requirement once again. The manager could opt to keep him in the West Midlands in case of any injury problems with his new forward.

The former AC Milan star did not start a league match for Fiorentina this term, with only 11 substitute appearances. That was after making nine starts in the second half of the 2019-2020 campaign.

He needs a run of games to revitalise a career that seems to be stalling at present.

The rules have been changed to allow a player to feature for a third club during a season. That is due to the pandemic but it would be risky letting him leave.

Wolves have struggled without Jimenez. The knives would be out for the boss if he let Cutrone leave only for another injury to strike.

And they may need to be creative with the terms of any deal to satisfy all concerned.

New man raring to go

One positive for Wolves is that Jose seems eager to get going and believes he is already match fit. The 29-year-old has joined on loan from Real Sociedad, with the option of a permanent stay.

 

It is always tough moving to a new club midway through the season. But the former Real Madrid loan star is confident he will soon be up to speed.

“I’ve been working, I’ve been training for a long time,” he said. “My last game was on Wednesday. So, I’m ready.”

 

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