Wolves have been linked with Vedat Muriqi recently and the Kosovan could be the man to replace Raul Jimenez in Julen Lopetegui’s side.
According to reports from Spain, Wolves’ new manager is keen to recruit the RCD Mallorca striker in January after his superb start to the 2022/23 campaign, although they could be forced to pay his €38m (£32.7m) release clause.
After joining the La Liga side on a permanent deal from Lazio in the summer, Muriqi has contributed a hugely impressive eight goals and one assist in just 12 league appearances for Javier Aguirre’s side.
This has helped him to average a strong 7.14 rating from WhoScored for his performances in La Liga, which is better than any Wolves player has managed in the Premier League so far this campaign, so it is easy to see why Lopetegui wants to bring him to Molineux.
Muriqi would certainly add an aerial threat to Wolves’ attack, as he has averaged 4.8 successful aerials per game in La Liga, compared to Jimenez’s 2.3 per game in the Premier League, which is the best of any Old Gold player, so it is easy to see why the Kosovo international was described as “utterly dominant in the air” by SmarterScout.
Considering Jimenez’s disappointing form and injury record in recent seasons, Muriqi’s potential arrival could definitely be the catalyst to him ending his spell at Molineux.
The Mexico international has sadly never been the same since his fractured skull injury and looked poor in his Premier League appearances earlier in the season, failing to score or assist, before a groin injury ruled him out for the entirety of September, October and November.
Relations with Lopetegui were already strained when he opted to go to the World Cup despite a lack of game time, and reports have unsurprisingly suggested that the former Benfica man could be moved on in January.
Considering their respective form so far this season, it seems that Muriqi would be a big upgrade on Jimenez at Molineux, so it would not be a surprise to see the Kosovan replace him in Lopetegui’s starting side after the World Cup is over.
