Why Wolves reigniting interest in Wallace would be a good ploy
According to claims from Italian website Lazio News (h/t Birmingham Live), Wolves could be set to rekindle their interest in Brazilian centre-back Wallace after failing to get a deal over the line for the Serie A star last summer.
The Black County outfit was close to completing a €7million deal for the Lazio star last year but the move eventually broke down, with the player departing to join Portuguese club Braga on loan. (Lazio News h/t Birmingham Live)
As per the report, Wolves rate him highly and Wallace could secure a permanent move away from the Serie A outfit after returning from his loan spell in Portugal.
Profile
Wallace rose through the youth ranks of Cruzeiro in his native Brazil and made only 3 first-team appearances for his boyhood club before completing a move to Portuguese club Braga in the summer of 2014.
However, the 25-year-old never made a single professional appearance for Braga and spent the next two seasons on loan at French club AS Monaco, where he made over 50 appearances in all competitions. The former Brazil U-20 international secured a permanent move to Serie A club Lazio in the summer of 2016 following his impressive displays in Ligue 1.
Wallace, though, struggled to establish himself as an undisputed starter at Lazio. He made 67 appearances across three full seasons before spending the 2019-20 season on loan at his former club Braga. The towering central defender made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese club last term.
Wallace could improve Wolves’ defensive depth
Wolves have already roped in versatile Brazilian defender Fernando Marcal from Lyon this summer to bolster their defence. The 31-year-old is capable of playing both as a centre-back and as a left wing-back but he is more likely to play in the latter role this season considering the long-term knee injury to Jonny Otto Castro.
That leaves Willy Boly, Leander Dendoncker and Romain Saiss to compete for the remaining two central defensive roles alongside skipper Conor Coady in Nuno Santo’s back-three system.
Dendoncker and Saiss have proven themselves as solid defenders over the past two seasons but both are primarily midfielders by trade and their best qualities are probably utilised elsewhere. Wolves also need to make a decision on the future of Ryan Bennett, who was shipped out on loan to Leicester City in January after struggling for form.
Suffice to say, the Black County outfit need more depth in their defensive ranks to cope with the challenge of having to compete on multiple fronts. Also, with fixtures set to come thick and fast in the league due to the delayed start, injuries could be an issue. This is something Wolves need to take into account.
To put things into perspective, Wallace ticks several boxes as an ideal addition to Wolves’ defensive ranks this summer. The Brazilian already has considerable top-flight experience in France and Italy, as well as in the Champions League and Europa League, which should make it easier for him to make the step up to the Premier League.
Still only 25, the centre-back has his best years ahead of him.
Read more
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Verdict
Having already completed deals for unproven youngsters like Fabio Silva and Vitor Ferreira this summer, it’s time now for Wolves to bring in some established players capable of making an immediate impact.
With that in mind, Wolves reigniting interest in the Brazilian could pave the way for a quality addition to their backline this summer.
