Wolves told it will take £18.5m to steal Sporting Lisbon’s replacement for Viktor Gyokeres

Wolves’ hunt for a striker could see them steal Sporting Lisbon’s replacement for Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

In the summer of 2023, Wolves famously missed out on signing Viktor Gyokeres as Jeff Shi wasn’t in the country to release the funds and finalize a deal.

Gyokeres was hot property after scoring 21 Championship goals in 2022/23, and the Old Gold were made to rue Shi’s costly error as he’s now one of the best players on the planet.

Since Sporting Lisbon tied up a £21 million transfer for Gyokeres, he’s netted a whopping 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese side.

Now, just two years after signing the 26-year-old, Sporting are willing to sell him for a reported £65 million, with a replacement being placed on their radar.

Wolves can sign Lucas Stassin for £18.5 million this summer

After Matheus Cunha’s departure to Manchester United, Wolves are also looking for some firepower to complement Jorgen Strand Larsen’s goal-scoring prowess.

It was reported on Thursday that Wolves were preparing a £25 million bid for Evan Guessand from OGC Nice after his stellar 13-goal campaign in France.

Guessand is the type of striker Pereira is looking for, possessing the pace and power to bolster his forward line.

However, the 23-year-old isn’t the only striker on his radar, as Wolves have entered the race for Lucas Stassin after Saint-Etienne’s relegation to Ligue 2.

Wolves are joined by an abundance of European clubs racing for his signature, including Sporting, who are preparing for life without Gyokeres.

According to Maisfutebol, as relayed by Le10sport, Belgian striker Stassin is available for just €22m (£18.5m) this summer. The report claims that Saint Etienne previously wanted €30m (£25m), but following their relegation, the price has slightly dropped.

Stassin’s headline stats as Wolves eye transfer

Still only 20 years old, Stassin’s price tag can be seen as a potential bargain. The Belgian under-21 international is oozing with confidence after his 14-goal campaign, and his potential in European football is limitless.

Wolves have shown they’re not afraid to sign youngsters who can develop into world-beaters, having bought Rayan Ait-Nouri from Angers SC for just £10 million four years ago, and now he’s closing in on a big-money transfer to Manchester City.

The above statistics suggest he’s not just a great finisher of chances, but he can also create them. In Pereira’s system, having the intelligence to occupy pockets of space and set up teammates is so important, and that is why Stassin is being considered.

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