Why Oleksandr Zinchenko would be an exciting buy for Wolves
As per reports, Premier League new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a club-record £16m offer for Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The report claims that City are willing to let him leave despite the player breaking into the first-team squad last season, making a total of 16 appearances in all competitions.
Zinchenko began his career in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk’s U19 side but he actually came into the limelight while plying his trade for Russian side FK Ufa. Considering his potential, Zinchenko was quickly snapped up by Manchester City in July 2016.
Upon arriving at the Etihad Stadium, City quickly loaned the 21-year-old to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Zinchenko blossomed during his loan spell at PSV, making 17 appearances and assisting 4 times.
The Ukrainian returned to City this past season but with opportunities in his favoured attacking midfield role almost impossible to come by, Pep Guardiola put him in a makeshift left-back role.
Zinchenko thrived in the left wing-back position, making the area his own when the likes of Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph were injured. As he made 16 appearances last campaign, Zinchenko also became eligible to receive a Premier League medal.
Wolves have already made some exciting signings in the summer transfer window, adding the likes of Willy Boly, Rui Patricio, Leo Bonatini, Diogo Jota and Ruben Vinagre. But now that the Molineux-based club have finally won promotion to the Premier League after being absent from the English top-flight since 2012, they need to make sure their squad is durable enough to sustain the big challenge.
One way Nuno Espirito Santo would certainly be able to strengthen his squad is by adding Zinchenko. The 21-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough campaign with City last season and would be an exciting addition for the Wolves.
Zinchenko is one of the most promising young attacking players across Europe and while he is a central midfielder by trade, the 21-year-old can also play on either flank, in a No.10 role, or as a wing-back.
Due to his versatility, Zinchenko would be such a valuable player for the Wolves. He may have filled in at left-back under Guardiola but he is a central midfielder by trade and could form a deadly partnership with Ruben Neves.
If needed, Santo can also use Zinchenko at the left wing-back position in his preferred 3-4-3 system. All in all, £16m represents a significant value for money for the supremely talented Zinchenko.