Wolves interested in 22-year-old defensive ace – Would he be a good addition?

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Why Wolves must make a move for Manchester City’s Tosin Adarabioyo

According to 90min (h/t Leeds Live), Wolves are among a host of English clubs interested in signing Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

Tosin Adarabioyo, 22, spent last season out on loan with West Brom and is impressing this campaign in the Championship once again, on loan at Blackburn Rovers. He has made 27 appearances in the Championship so far, scoring two goals.

Tyler Roberts of Leeds United battles for possession with Tosin Adarabioyo of Blackburn Rovers during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on November 09, 2019 in Leeds, England. (Getty Images)
Tyler Roberts of Leeds United battles for possession with Tosin Adarabioyo of Blackburn Rovers during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on November 09, 2019 in Leeds, England. (Getty Images)

The 90min (h/t Leeds Live) claim that Everton lead the race for the centre-back but there is also potential interest from Burnley, Leicester City, Newcastle United, Southampton and Leeds United. The report (h/t Leeds Live) adds that Manchester City will set a £20million price tag on the player’s head in the summer and would demand a buy-back clause in any deal.

Meanwhile, Wolves are currently 6th in the table with 43 points after completion of 29 games. Nuno Espirito Santo’s aim should be to achieve Champions League qualification and that’s realistic, considering fourth-placed Chelsea are just five points ahead of them.

The Wanderers have done very well this season in the league as well as in the Europa League. They have reached the Europa League’s round of 16 after beating Espanyol. And their success has been built on the back of a resolute defence, with Nuno’s side conceding just 34 goals in 29 games.

Wolves players celebrate after a goal. (Getty Images)
Wolves players celebrate after a goal. (Getty Images)

Conor Coady has been a regular fixture since the start of the campaign. Willy Boly has returned from a knee injury but Ryan Bennett has joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

Following Bennett’s departure, Romain Saiss has cemented his position in the back three. But with Real Madrid cutting Jesus Vallejo’s loan spell short at Molineux in January, Nuno lacks depth in the squad.

That being said, the Wolves boss should make it one of his priorities to sign a centre-back in the summer and Tosin Adarabioyo would be a good choice.

Adarabioyo represented England at youth level earlier in his career and is a rising talent to come out of the Man City academy. He excelled with West Brom last season and has shown at Blackburn this year that he’s too good for Championship football.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the sidelines. (Getty Images)
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the sidelines. (Getty Images)

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The 22-year-old has featured regularly in the Championship for the last two seasons and has developed himself into a fine centre-back.

Verdict

At the Molineux, he would add some much-needed freshness. Adarabioyo might be a good fit for a team which has lacked a young and powerful presence in the heart of the defence. He is just 22 and under Nuno’s guidance, he can develop into a fine Premier League centre-back.

The Manchester City stopper could be Wolves’ solution at the back for the long-term, given he develops well. Hence, splashing the cash on the youngster would be a wise decision by the club.