Wolverhampton Wanderers could be preparing for a potential exit for Hwang Hee-chan, with interest emerging in a late swoop for Southampton’s Nathan Redmond.
What’s the latest?
According to The Athletic’s Southampton reporter Jacob Tanswell, Wolves are “interested” in signing the Saints winger in the final hours of the transfer window.
Tanswell tweeted: “Wolves are among the teams interested in signing Nathan Redmond from #SaintsFC. Though any move is likely to hinge on Hwang Hee-Chan leaving. Redmond is seen to fill the homegrown quota. Clubs in Europe are also interested.”
Imagine him & Jiménez
Wolves have already rejected a bid from Leeds United for Hwang, with the club reportedly valuing the player at £25m, but it seems clear that the powerbrokers at Molineux are keen to prepare for the worst given the emerging interest in Redmond.
The Saints forward is currently in the last year of his contract at St Mary’s, so if Wolves could get a good deal for the player – should they make an official approach for him – it could be a great opportunity to add even more depth to their attack.
Redmond – who was dubbed “amazing” by his manager Ralph Hasenhuttl – has scored 30 goals and delivered 27 assists in his 232 appearances for Southampton since joining from Norwich City in 2016, but he has now found himself out of favour on the south coast.
As a result, Bruno Lage can take advantage of the winger’s lack of involvement at Southampton by swooping in for him to give Raul Jimenez another attacking gem with whom to form a goal-scoring partnership over the 2022/23 season.
The 28-year-old has not only proven capable of offering up goal contributions over his time on the south coast, but he is also not afraid to get stuck into his opponents when he is given the chance to occupy a place in the forward line.
Across 27 Premier League appearances last season, the £74k-per-week winger scored one goal, delivered five assists and created seven big chances, making 1.3 key passes, winning 2.6 duels and taking one shot per game and successfully completing the majority of his duels (54%).
Redmond’s clear creative ability and Premier League experience could perfectly complement Jimenez in his pursuit to rediscover his once-devastating form over the season ahead, as the Mexican has been unable to find his first league goal of the season despite taking 2.3 shots per game.
The prospective signing of Redmond could be a good opportunity to add a fresh impetus to the front line at Molineux, but with the clock ticking towards the 11pm deadline, the Old Gold need to act on their interest and make their move as soon as possible.
