Wolves are thought to be targeting Bordeaux and South Korea striker Hwang Ui-jo this summer – and the presence of compatriot Hwang Hee-chan at the club may convince the forward to make the move to Molineux.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about Wolves’ potential transfer business heading into the final few weeks of the window.
According to MailOnline, Fulham have now joined Wolves in the race to sign Ui-jo this summer, with the West Midlands side having reportedly already made a £2m offer to Bordeaux for his services.
The same report suggests that the Ligue 2 club are looking for a fee closer to £4m this summer after their relegation from the French top-flight last season, with the 29-year-old having been the club’s top scorer in each of the last two campaigns.
And O’Rourke believes the presence of Hee-chan within Bruno Lage’s side could be a significant selling point to the striker this summer, saying: “I think it would definitely help. I’m sure Hwang Hee-chan will be letting his compatriot know what life is like at Wolves, what life is like in the Premier League.
“I’m sure he would give a glowing reference of maybe what Wolves could do for him as well, if he did make that move from Bordeaux.
“So it’s obviously going to play a big part, I think, in his decision if he does want to go to Wolves, and that would also help with the settling-in process as well, having a familiar face and somebody that he’s used to playing with.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
We believe that whilst Hee-chan’s presence may encourage Ui-jo to make the move to Molineux, we think that Wolves should be looking elsewhere for a striker this summer.
The club are in desperate need of an out-and-out number nine before the window closes in September following Raúl Jiménez’s pre-season injury and Fábio Silva’s season-long loan move to Anderlecht.
However, we believe that a loan move for Michy Batshuayi, who has also been discussed as a striker option for the club, would make much more sense for Fosun and Lage, with the Chelsea forward already having some Premier League experience under his belt.