Reported Wolves target Andrea Belotti is on the brink of joining Roma, in a deal which presents yet another transfer blow to Bruno Lage.

What's the word?

The Old Gold desperately need to add a new striker to their ranks before the transfer window shuts, and Belotti would have presented an experienced, reliable and cheap option, as he was available on a free transfer following his summer exit from Torino.

Reports had suggested that Wolves had offered the Italian forward a contract as they looked to sign competition for Raul Jimenez, who has struggled to reach the levels he had attained before his head injury, but the latest news from Italy suggests that he is set to join Jose Mourinho's Roma.

Another blow for Lage

Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Leeds United, in a game where Wolves had more possession and shots on target than the hosts, emphasises exactly why a clinical forward is needed before the end of this month.

Jimenez would finish as the club's top scorer last season with a measly six goals, while Fabio Silva was sent to Anderlecht on loan after failing to find the back of the net in any competition in the most recent campaign.

While Goncalo Guedes has arrived at the club, he is likely to feature on the wing as he has rarely played as a central striker in his career, so Belotti could have been an excellent option for Lage.

The 28-year-old hit 113 goals in 251 appearances for Torino before his departure, including eight in just 22 Serie A appearances last season, so he definitely could have added a goalscoring instinct to Wolves' attack.

Former Torino manager Moreno Longo was full of praise for Belotti during his time at the Italian club, saying:

“Andrea Belotti is an extraordinary striker and can score a goal at any moment."

Considering Wolves' struggles in front of goal last season, which saw them score the fewest goals of any side to avoid relegation, signing someone who can score out of nothing, as Longo suggests, would have been very beneficial to Lage, and he will no doubt be gutted to miss out on a player of his quality.

This is certainly a real blow as the Old Gold aim to improve their options.