The dazzling pace and significant contribution of Adama Traore to Wolves this season has put him in the wishlists of Manchester City and Juventus.
With City already lost Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola may want to invest part of the £54.8 million they got from the winger’s sale to the Bavarian giant intoTraore’s purchase.
ESPN reports that the two clubs have moved ahead of Barcelona in pursuit of the winger, who began his career in Spain with La Masia. His performance caught City’s boss attention after helping his club to a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season.
The 24-year-old who is having a successful season under Nuno Santo is therefore set to spark a summer transfer battle if the team fails to qualify for the Champions League. Wolves is currently seven points behind Leicester City that is occupying the last Champions League qualifying slot after Berdgan Rodger’s men secured a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirate Stadium on Tuesday night.
After moving to the Molineux Stadium from Middlesbrough in an £18 million deal in August 2018, Traore has become one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season, with four goals and nine assists in his locker. He is second only to City’s Kevin De Bruyne this term, as he continues to help the club’s quest for Champions League qualification.
The conditions that can make Adama Traore remain at Wolves
It was gathered that the winger might move to another team if Wolves failed to qualify for the top European competition despite having three years left on his Wolves contract.
The club, therefore, has the chance to clinch a Champions League spot either through the Premier League or by winning the Europa League.
ESPN reports that Juventus and City are waiting in the wings to make a move for Traore this summer if the club failed to achieve the European top clubs’ football qualification.
It was also gathered that Barcelona wouldn’t be making any move for the winger until next season because the team is looking forward to selling some of the fringe players like Phillippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele before making further investment.
With Barca currently out of the picture, City, which is already in the market for a winger to replace Sane, could entice him with regular playing time and Champions League football.
Apart from Traore, another option in Pep Guardiola‘s list is Burnley’s, Dwight McNeil. Although Traore’s form has elevated him ahead of McNeil, he is likely to be valued around £80m due to the remaining time on his Wolves contract.
Juventus, on the other hand, will be hoping to add a younger player to their frontline with Cristiano Ronaldo (35), Juan Cuadrado (32), and Douglas Costa (29) all approaching, the twilight of their careers. But making a real move remains on the card for the Scudetto winners.
