Wolves

Wolves

Premier League • England

Wolves transfer news: Lopetegui confirms LaLiga duo as serious targets ahead of January window

Felipe Atletico Madrid

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has named two Atletico Madrid stars he is looking to bring in to bolster his first-team squad in the January transfer window.

Reports on Sunday emerged that the Molineux outfit are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid players Matheus Cunha and Felipe as Lopetegui aims to add more quality to his side and steer Wolves away from the relegation places.

Lopetegui was announced as Wolves boss in early November after Bruno Lage’s exit.

And while the World Cup break has been ongoing, Lopetegui has been adding to his coaching set up and working out a plan for the January window.

It appears that plan includes snapping up two Atletico players, as confirmed by the new Wolves chief on Spanish radio.

When asked about forward Cunha, Lopetegui said: “We have several open options and he is one of them. In football, until you close the operations, they are all up in the air”.

As for defender Felipe’s arrival, he added: “He is a player that we like. But at the moment there is no closed operation.

“We have to create a good group, convince those who are there that they can improve their performance and with the help of those who come, build a stronger group.”

Wolves currently sit bottom of the Premier League and scored a lowly eight goals in their 15 league outings games before the World Cup break.

Quality signings key to Wolves surival

And although Lopetegui realises the magnitude of the task ahead of him, the Spaniard believes that adding more quality to his squad is key to surival.

He added: “It is the reality of the team at the moment, as it is also that we have many games to turn around and be able to save that situation.

“It’s not going to be easy. There is a lot of equality between 12-13 Premier teams and we will try to speed up the winter market where we need alternatives and new players.

“We are already on the Premier train with enthusiasm and desire. There are Spanish and Portuguese players and some logically are with the national team. Little by little, the players who come from abroad are arriving and getting to know the players and making contact with the team and the group.”

Having been sacked by Sevilla, Lopetegui originally turned down the chance to take charge at Molineux due to his father’s ill health, before having a change of heart a matter of weeks later.

When asked how the pressure of managing in England compares to Spain, he added: “The pressure exists everywhere. You live differently. Wolverhampton is a team that has competed at a high level for a few years.

“It will not be easy but we are excited about the challenge that lies ahead, it motivates us and we are going for it. We were excited to be in the Premier and with the intention of improving the team, being competitive and making noise.”

READ MORE: Popular Wolves centre-forward now set to leave with Lopetegui’s £42m replacement already lined up