da casino： Wolves’ transfer-sphere has gone into full overdrive this week with names being linked to the club left, right and centre.
da dobrowin： Young Ecuadorian striker Leonardo Campana became their first signing of the window this week after joining from Barcelona SC whilst Portuguese duo Daniel Podence and Nelson Oliveira are reportedly close to joining.
The west Midlanders have also been mooted with a move for Spanish playmaker Dani Olmo, just like they were in the summer, but contrasting reports have left this one open for interpretation.
Sky Sports Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio believes Wolves have offered the best deal, thought to be around €30m (£25.5m), including bonuses while the Express & Star played down such links.
It remains to be seen how keen Nuno Santo is on the Dinamo Zagreb hotshot, but Croatian news outlet Sportske Novosti did note their continued scouting of him back in December, so it’s wise to now ask the question, should Wolves pursue Olmo before Friday’s deadline?
We let some of Football FanCast’s finest run the mill over the matter, here are their thoughts…
Viji Jeevathayalan
“Staying competitive in the Premier League means always being open to evolving, and swooping for Dani Olmo could take Wolves to the next level. Nuno Espirito Santo has been reluctant to change what has admittedly been a winning formula for him, with Raul Jimenez invariably leading the line for the Molineux side. But as was evident in that impressive comeback victory against Southampton, a slight tactical tweak can make all the difference in the world. And in Dani Olmo, they would be getting a number ten capable of unlocking defences, and providing goals himself. As per Transfermarkt, he has scored six times and provided a further four assists in 14 games in that attacking midfield position this season for Dinamo Zagreb. If Nuno decides to employ a play-maker, then Olmo could be perfect for that. Imagine him, Diogo Jota and Jimenez wreaking havoc.”
James Beavis
“As per Transfermarkt’s stats of Dani Olmo’s career to date in the matches they have recorded the position he has played, it shows that as well as primarily playing as an attacking midfielder in the No.10 role, the Spaniard is also capable of playing on either wing, too.
“That makes him ideal for either the 3-4-1-2 system Nuno Santo successfully experimented with in the win against Southampton last weekend should he play in what has been his favoured role, but he could also feature on the wing in the 3-4-3 formation, too.
“Eight goals and seven assists in 22 appearances in all competitions this term for Dinamo Zagreb shows exactly what the 21-year-old, who has been courted by Barcelona, is capable of, and his versatility means that he would be a superb addition for Wolves.
“From the left, Transfermarkt say that he has six goals and 10 assists in 25 outings where they have recorded his position as being there, meaning he would likely start on the opposite flank to Adama Traore.
With the former Barca man’s pace and dribbling ability being hugely effective on the right, adding Olmo to the left would be an intriguing move.
“He and Traore could cause chaos to opposition defenders.”
Matt Dawson
“If Wolves are serious about becoming a major side in the Premier League and establishing themselves in Europe, then Dani Olmo ticks all the boxes. He’s a product of the famous La Masia youth academy, being educated in one of the best environments in world football for a young player.
“If that experience doesn’t get people at Wolves excited, then his ability to create and score goals certainly will. So far in 2019/20, the attacking midfielder has been involved in 15 strikes from just 22 outings – a superior record and one that eclipses anyone at Molineux.
“His creativity is certainly eye-catching, making one key pass per match in the Champions League, as well as performing three successful dribbles on average in the same tournament. However, his seven assists in all competitions give a better picture of what he could offer, with no one at Wolves offering more this campaign. With vision like that, Olmo can be the man to make Raul Jimenez even better.”
Danny Lewis
“This one feels like a no-brainer for Wolves. His ability to play on the wing and in attacking midfield offers a level of tactical flexibility that can only be a positive sign. In addition to that, he has shown the productivity that is needed from an attack-minded Premier League player, getting eight goals and seven assists from 22 appearances in all competitions. If proof is needed that he can utilise his skillset to be effective in the English top-flight, the technique involved in his goal against Manchester City should provide it.”
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