Bruno Lage admits Wolverhampton Wanderers were forced into Adama Traore’s departure – and backed the Spaniard to shine at boyhood club Barcelona. Wolves have loaned Traore to Barcelona, with an option in the La Liga club’s favour, after failing to agree a new contract with the 26-year-old. The move is far from ideal for Lage, who hoped to keep the game-changing winger at Molineux, but the Wolves head coach has accepted the decision.
Bruno Lage said: “In the end we need to understand the club was talking with him over a new contract. I think one year is plenty of time to reach an agreement with him. The player had his own ideas so the club found a way to protect themselves if Adama went to the end of the season with just one year.”
Wolves signed Portuguese winger Chiquinho from Estoril during the transfer window, but he isn’t viewed as a replacement for Traore. Lage says he “cannot ask Chiquinho to do the same things Adama was doing in the last month.” Traore’s exit has left Wolves threadbare in a position they were previously extremely strong. Hwang Hee-chan is likely to miss the next three games at least, which means Lage only has Francisco Trincao and Daniel Podence as wide options. Pedro Neto is still some way off returning from a long-term knee injury, too.
Bruno Lage said:“I was very happy with all four wingers because they gave me a lot of things – Trincao, Hwang, Daniel and Adama. I said in the beginning, Adama started the season very well and should have scored three or four goals with the way he created chances. Then he had some games where he didn’t play so well. But the one thing is, from the first day to the last day, he worked so hard and was very professional. I was so happy with him. He gave us a big impact in the last month when he jumped from the bench.”
Lage and Wolves’ hierarchy will be following Traore intently in the hope of receiving a summer windfall of £25million, as per the agreement with Barcelona.
Bruno Lage added: “What I saw from Adama, especially in the last month – creating chances, assisting, scoring goals – I believe he has everything to have success in his hometown club. I was happy with him, but I understand the club. We must wish Adama all the best.”
