Wolves transfer news: Faltering European giants target January deal for high-profile star given little room by Bruno Lage

Samuel Bannister 23 Sep 2022 10:00 AM

Adama Traore could leave Wolves in January after being targeted by an out-of-sorts European giant in need of new ideas, according to reports.

Traore is back at Wolves this season after spending the first six months of 2022 on loan with Barcelona. His move to the La Liga club never became permanent. Therefore, he is competing for his place at Molineux again.

So far, Bruno Lage has not given him much responsibility. None of the winger’s four appearances in the current Premier League campaign have come from the first minute. He did score when starting in an EFL Cup win over Championship side Preston North End in August, though.

Nevertheless, he is still facing an uncertain future, especially with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Now, though, it is emerging that there may be a chance for Traore to depart before then. According to reports in Italy, the winger remains of interest to Serie A side Juventus.

The club have endured a shaky start to the 2022-23 season, leading to pressure on head coach Massimiliano Allegri. However, sacking him would be expensive, so perhaps there could be some personnel changes in their squad instead.

With that in mind, Tutto Juve are reporting of their ongoing interest in Adama Traore.

The Spain international has been identified as someone who can compete with former Chelsea player Juan Cuadrado as a wing-back.

The report predicts that Wolves would let him go on loan with an option to buy. However, that seems complicated when Traore’s contract is due to expire by the time any such loan spell would be ending anyway.

Adama Traore nearing end of Wolves stint

Wolves will have to carefully consider the terms of any exit they would sanction for Traore. However it happens, though, it seems his future is going to lie away from the club – and potentially away from the Premier League altogether, despite there previously being reports of other suitors in England.

Across his spell with Wolves, which began in August 2018, Traore has played in 159 matches across all competitions. From those appearances – which are more than he has made for any other club – he has contributed 12 goals and 18 assists.

Traore has earned admirers because of his pace and strength. But a lack of consistent output has lowered the general estimations of him recently. Therefore, unless anything changes significantly, his days with Wolves could be numbered.

That said, other big clubs could still believe in him. While in 2022 it was Barcelona who found a use for him, in 2023 it could be Juventus. Depending on how the rest of the group stage goes, they could lift him up to Champions League level.

It would therefore be an interesting move for Traore to make, despite Juventus’ current pressures.

All that remains to be seen is how much more Wolves will use him until he eventually does leave the West Midlands behind.

Wolves Adama Traore