Julen Lopetegui is reportedly keen for Wolves to sign Gerard Deulofeu this month and the Spaniard could be the man to reignite Raul Jimenez at Molineux.

Speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel earlier this month, Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano suggested that the 56-year-old manager is a big fan of the former Watford forward, but any deal for him could, according to the other reports, cost around €25m (£22m).

He said: “I think it’s about Udinese wanting to keep Deulofeu. For example, I’m told that also Wolves’ manager, Lopetegui, is [a] big fan of Deulofeu. So it’s true that Aston Villa like him, but also Wolves have been tracking him.”

The Spanish winger will be well known to Wolves fans after his remarkable goal and performance in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Watford in 2019 and he has found a new level of consistency in Italy which suggests he could be a big help to Lopetegui in the second half of the season.

So far this campaign, the 28-year-old has contributed an impressive two goals and six assists in just 16 Serie A appearances, averaging a superb 7.05 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

It is his ability to find a teammate in promising situations that could be so game-changing for the Old Gold should he arrive at Molineux, as Wolves still find themselves bottom of the goals-scored table in the Premier League.

According to FBref, Deulofeu ranks in the top percentage of wingers across Europe's big five leagues for expected assists, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, which emphasises just how creative a player he can be when he is at his best.

Meanwhile, at Wolves, no player has managed more than two assists in the top flight this season, while, despite spending most of the campaign on the sidelines, Pedro Neto leads the way for average key passes per game, with 1.6.

Deulofeu has averaged nearly double that with three key passes per match in Serie A this term, which suggests that he has the quality to consistently create good opportunities for strikers.

He has also proven himself in England in the past, with former Everton boss Roberto Martinez full of praise for him back in 2015.

He said: “He was outstanding when he came on. His pace, penetration and ability in one-on-one situations was something that inspired our second-half performance.”

While there is little doubt that Jimenez hasn't been the same player since his horrendous skull injury - scoring just three goals this term - the forward is still a good finisher and perhaps has lacked quality service over the past two seasons at Molineux.

Therefore, signing someone such as Deulofeu could be a great idea for Wolves this month, as it could be the catalyst in getting the Mexico international back to his best ahead of a hugely important final few months of the season.