Wolves make first move in race to sign “strong” in-demand Kilman replacement for O’Neil

Wolverhampton Wanderers are apparently making their first move in the hunt to buy a young central defender after failing to replace Max Kilman in the summer transfer window and suffering the price ever since. Wolves Transfer News
While they’ve been able to blame the toughest series of matchups to start the Premier League season, Wolves have more than enough talent to prevent the winless streak that they find themselves in after eight games. Gary O’Neil has had the most difficult start, with his side pushed aside by Brentford and Chelsea yet narrowly defeated by Liverpool and Manchester City. After allowing Kilman to leave for West Ham United and then failing to replace their great centre-back, folks in the Midlands should have anticipated their defensive struggles. Wolves, who have been left with few options since Yerson Mosquera’s long-term injury, must act in 2025 if they are to escape unexpected Premier League relegation. According to Graeme Bailey of The Boot Room, Wolves have dispatched scouts to monitor Nathan Zeze before joining the competition to sign the Nantes centre-back in 2025. At only 19 years old, O’Neil could provide the defender the greatest learning curve in England’s top flight with the prospect of game time. Wolves’ only selling point ahead of clubs like Aston Villa and Liverpool

and Chelsea. Zeze, who is 6 feet 3 inches, has had a fantastic start to the Ligue 1 season, keeping three clean sheets in six games. Such interest in his signature should come as no surprise, especially given William Saliba’s achievements since leaving French football for the Premier League.

“Strong” Zeze can succeed Kilman.
Long-term, signing Zeze to replace Kilman would be a wise commercial decision. Zeze is a much younger and cheaper option who might potentially earn Wolves more money than the £40 million they paid for Kilman in the summer. The Frenchman would not necessarily come in to sit on the bench, perhaps going in ahead of the elderly Craig Dawson.

Although the data demonstrate that Zeze still has room for improvement on the ball, his defensive abilities off the ball is exceptional. Analyst Ben Mattinson describes the teenager as “strong” in the air, and he certainly checks off a lot of boxes for Wolves.

Of course, by 2025, the Wolves hope that their terribly slow start has been forgotten and that they have returned to the level they demonstrated under O’Neil in the previous season. It is unclear whether they will target Zeze then or wait until the summer.