The Old Gold could make a wise signing by acquiring this skilled winger.The Old Gold could make a wise signing by acquiring this skilled winger. Wolverhampton Wanderers have a lot to work out over the next four months. Gary O’Neil deserves all of the credit for his work at Molineux, but a good year faded out in the late stages, and it is now critical to look for additions capable of carrying the team forward next year.
Talks have already begun about signing Southampton’s Che Adams, who is out of contract in one month, while Manchester City and Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Wolves star Pedro Neto, who is valued at £60 million.
Much work remains to be done, but O’Neil has proven his worth, and given that the club is already lining up replacements for Neto in case he leaves, there is reason to be optimistic.
Wolves line up Neto’s replacement
According to Spanish outlets AS and Grada1 – via Sport Witness – Wolves are set to compete with Aston Villa and West Ham United for the signing of Viktor Tsygankov, who has been a key part of Girona’s stunning season, which saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their 94-year history (pending UEFA clearance due to shared ownership with Manchester City).
The Ukrainian is thought to have a market value of €28 million (£24 million) and is calmly weighing his options ahead of the official transfer window opening.
How might Viktor Tsygankov fit in at Wolves?
Tsykangov, 26, has had a nomadic career but has consistently demonstrated his talent, with pundit Ben Mattinson describing him as “seriously talented” at the start of the season and questioning how he is still performing beneath the radar. The in-demand talent has been effective wherever he has gone over the past five years, and while he has not been as potent in front of goal for Girona, he’s scarcely flattering to deceive with his performances, vital to the top-four finish in La Liga and praised Talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as having “outrageous” skills. Indeed, according to Sofascore, the right winger has produced 11 huge opportunities and completed 83% of his passes in the Spanish top division this season, while averaging one tackle and 3.5 ball recoveries per game.
Neto, on the other hand, had nine assists and seven great opportunities in the Premier League despite only starting 18 games due to an injury, but it’s clear that Tsygankov possesses the basic attributes that might make him an excellent substitute. According to FBref, Tsygankov ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 9% for clearances per 90, indicating his impressive balance of creativity and industrious defensive characteristics. In this regard, the £23k-per-week ace would be a fitting successor to a dynamic winger like Neto, who has been praised by his manager for his “absolutely incredible” technical ability but has also averaged four ball recoveries and 3.5 successful duels per game in the Premier League this season, highlighting his energy and tenacity. If O’Neil’s Portuguese maverick is sold, Wolves will have a bit of a war chest to bolster the squad in a variety of areas, and Tsygankov would be an ideal replacement on the side.
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