Wolverhampton Wanderers certainly committed a huge transfer blunder last summer, especially considering developments over the last week of the January transfer window which saw Enzo Fernandez join Chelsea for a British record fee of £107m.

It may have been all so different before the start of the season, considering that Wolves were heavily linked with a move for the Argentine golden boy, although he eventually left River Plate to join Benfica for just €10m (£9m) in what now looks like the bargain of the century.

Having shone for the Portuguese club in the earlier part of the season (he was their sixth-best play according to WhoScored) prior to becoming a vital cog in the Argentina midfield as they won their third World Cup following an epic final against France, Fernandez became one of the hottest prospects in world football, claiming the Young Player of the Tournament award.

What could have been for the Molineux side, as the inclusion of Fernandez may have enabled them to enjoy a better start to the current Premier League season than what unfolded, with Bruno Lage sacked in early October with the club in the relegation zone.

With Fernandez out of the picture, Julen Lopetegui may have had an opportunity to sign their very own replica of the Chelsea sensation, as the Old Gold were linked with another young Argentine midfielder in Carlos Alcaraz.

According to O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the 20-year-old was approached by Wolves at the start of the January transfer window, although it eventually ended in disaster akin to the Fernandez failure, with Southampton managing to secure his services for what could well be a bargain fee of £12m.

Journalist Alex de Llano went as far to describe him as “gold for Racing” last year, and he is certainly in a similar mould to Fernandez.

Both are young Argentine midfield talents, and while one has already made a big splash on the continent, Alcaraz will be keen on following in his compatriot's footsteps during his spell in England.

The two are best while occupying a central midfield role, and although Fernandez has registered six goal contributions this term, only one has been a goal. Alcaraz has scored three times, also taking more shots (41 to 30) and averaging more shots per game (2.2 to 1.7) and more clearances per match (0.5 to 0.2), with these returns clearly show just how much potential the Southampton youngster has.

Lopetegui certainly missed a trick over Alcaraz, who could have complimented the Wolves midfield very well; and with his style of play being quite similar to that of the £107m World Cup winner, the Spaniard could rue missing out on him, especially to a relegation rival in the Saints.