Bruno Lage has pinpointed centre-back as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ transfer priority for this month. Wolves currently only have two senior central defensive options available to Lage after Romain Saiss departed to join up with Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bruno Lage said: “The area I think we need to improve is centre-back. We don’t have players for that position. (Willy) Boly is out, as you know, since the beginning of the season with injuries. Saiss has been doing a great season, the way he defends and attacks, scoring goals. At the moment we just have two, so the priority is to bring one player for that position. Seven months have passed, Saiss, (Conor) Coady and Max (Kilman) have been doing well but it’s not enough. If something happens to Saiss, like now he goes to the national team, I don’t have anyone because Boly has been injured most of the time since the beginning of the season.”
Owners Fosun have reined in the spending in recent windows and further sales are likely before Wolves can complete any major transfer business. The club’s preferred method of transfer remains a loan with the option to buy, but those deals rarely favour the selling club.
Bruno Lage added: “We are open to everything, whatever is best for the club at the moment. I will not change my opinion because I decided in one month my opinion about the squad. But, at the same time, I need to understand the right moment. For now, the best thing to do is to work with our players, loan players, and to help the injured players come back and wait for what the market can bring to us. Without Saiss, I have just two centre-backs. I have players who can do that position – but they are not centre-backs.”
While Wolves’ immediate rivals splash the cash, Lage is having to be patient in transfer windows. Wolves missed out on several targets during the summer transfer window and a quiet January is in the offing unless funds can be raised, with Adama Traore attracting the most interest. Lage has spoken publicly about what Wolves need in the transfer market since arriving at Molineux in the summer, and he will continue to speak freely on the subject.
Bruno Lage added: “These are my feelings and opinions about what the club needs to go to the next step. Don’t use my words to attack anyone. I come here to talk about football. I talk freely about everything and give my opinions. What kind of manager would I be if I say I don’t need a centre-back when I play with three and have just two in my squad? We need to find the right moment to bring those top players to our club. I don’t want to buy a guy to just belong to the squad. For that, I will use the kids who are out on loan. That part I agree with Scott (Sellars – technical director). What I want to bring is a guy who can bring more and add competition to our squad.”
