According to Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen, via Voetbalkrant, a fourth Premier League club have entered the mix for Wolverhampton Wanderers loan target Aurelio Buta this January.
Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
What’s the word?
Midlands rivals Leicester City are now in the hunt as the report suggests that they would turn to the Royal Antwerp full-back in the event that Ricardo Pereira leaves the club.
Watch Wolves vs Man City Live and Free with Amazon Prime on December 27th
Wolves’ interest has been long suggested since the summer transfer window closed with Nuno Santo eyeing up the 22-year-old, who was once on the books of his former club Benfica.
Watford and Southampton are the two other teams believed to hold interest in Buta.
Is he needed?
The right-back is a Portugal U20 international who has made 23 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian outfit this campaign, including a run of matches in Europa League qualifying.
Buta has provided one goal and five assists on the right-hand side of the defence, but would he be a welcome and needed addition at Molineux?
Sporza journalist Aster Nzeyimana labelled him ‘one of the best full-backs in Belgium’ before complimenting his technical ability as ‘very gifted’ and that he’s ‘instrumental’ to Antwerp’s fortunes this season.
A glowing review, perhaps. But he would have to contend with Matt Doherty, and maybe even Adama Traore despite the Spaniard thriving in the front three in recent months.
With so many games on the horizon, Wolves will have to combat the FA Cup alongside the Europa League knockout stages as well as the Premier League in 2020, he could be a valuable depth option.
Whose Line Is It Anyway: Michael Owen, Garth Crooks or Mark Lawrenson?
It could be shrewd to land him on loan as that gives Nuno the opportunity to view his skillset and character before making a final decision on him – it would be a risk to sign him permanently.
And in other Molineux news, here’s how Wolves could look after the January transfer window with nearly £60m worth of investment…
