Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an offer for Olympiacos winger Andre Luiz, as they look to build a side capable of winning promotion from the Championship next season.
The Old Gold started putting together their squad before Rob Edwards’ departure, and signing experienced players was deemed to be important, with Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier arriving at Molineux.
Jimenez’s return may be seen as particularly exciting, with the Mexican netting 21 Premier League goals over the past two seasons for Fulham, and finding the net 57 times in 166 appearances during his previous spell in the West Midlands.
However, the striker won’t be able to do it all by himself, and with Wolves scoring just 27 Premier League goals last season, 11 fewer than any other side, they have set out to sign another forward.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Wolves’ lack of a consistent goal threat last season means it will be important to strengthen their forward line this summer, particularly considering there are doubts over Mateus Mane‘s future. |
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Finances |
A €14m (12m) bid has been made for Luiz, but if they are desperate to secure his signature, they will have to increase their offer, as Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis believes he is worth more. |
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Insight |
The Olympiacos forward is capable of playing on both wings and at centre-forward. However, he wasn’t exactly a major threat for the Greek side after joining from Rio Ave in January, failing to score in his first ten matches for the Greek side. |
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Impact |
Mane is also able to play at striker and out wide, so the former Rio Ave man could be signed as a direct replacement. Wolves are demanding £35m for their academy graduate, amid interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. |
Wolves make offer for Andre Luiz
According to a report from Sportime, Wolves have submitted a £12m bid for Luiz, but it won’t be enough to tempt Marinakis into a sale, despite the fact he didn’t make a flying start to life at Olympiacos.
The Old Gold will have to return to the negotiating table with a better offer, but there could be competition, with an ‘unnamed club’ making a €16m (£14m) bid earlier in July.
What Evangelos Marinakis has said about Andre Luiz
Signing the 24-year-old could be viewed as a coup for Olympacios to begin with, considering how well he performed for Rio Ave earlier in the season.
Andre Luiz’s season at Rio Ave
- 19 matches
- 7 goals
- 6 assists
- 0.42 goals per 90
- 1.2 shots on target per 90
- 5 big chances created
- 2 penalties won
Marinakis even gave the Brazilian some very high praise, saying: “And we brought in the best winger of the first half of the season in Portugal, André Luiz, and the top scorer in the Portuguese league, Clayton.”
Luiz would perhaps be a risky signing at Premier League level, as he is unproven in a top five league but his performances in the Liga Portugal suggest he could flourish in the Championship, so Wolves should think about returning with another offer.
