When Wolves lost Diogo Jota and Matt Doherty last summer, their reliance on Raul Jimenez became even greater.
In 2019/20, the former Old Gold duo combined for 25% of the club’s goals, so losing them was a huge blow. Combine that with Jimenez’s horrific injury in November, and it made life even tougher for Wolves.
The Mexican sustained a fractured skull and without him, Wolves have been left behind by their rivals. They are outside the Premier League’s top half and any hope of securing European football is a distant memory.
Since the Wolves star was sidelined, their forward line has struggled significantly. Fabio Silva has scored just twice all season while Willian Jose is yet to find the net in 11 hours of football for his new team. Signing a new striker should therefore be at the height of Jeff Shi’s priorities when the transfer window opens.
One player who could arrive is Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The Bees have slapped a £30m price tag on his head after Wolves were linked with his services.
On paper, he would be a great addition. After all, he’s a 27-goal forward described as “exceptional” by Peterborough owner Barry Fry.
Pivotally, it could also bring more from enigmatic winger Adama Traore. The Spaniard was one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League last term, amassing four goals, nine assists and five dribbles per game.
This season, however, he has been off the mark. Traore hasn’t contributed a single goal or assist, something which defies belief when you consider how relentless he was last term.
One reason for his lack of assists could be down to the absence of Jimenez. Therefore, signing a player as prolific as Toney may put the energetic winger on the right track to claiming more assists.
They have the potential to be a deadly combination at Molineux. Both possess the ability to get in behind and they both have eye-catching amounts of pace.
Getting the most from Traore is essential for Nuno Espirito Santo going forward. This season he had the potential to be their leading light but he has been rather disappointing.
Toney could be game-changing, though. You only need to bring his nine assists into the equation to understand that he can bring others into play too.
Shi must pay the big money needed to bring him to the Midlands.