Bruno Lage must avoid making huge Wolves transfer error, it could ruin their plans - opinion

Wolves defender Fernando Marcal appears likely to leave Molineux this summer and sign for Brazilian club Botafogo.

According to journalist Thiago Franklin, talks are ‘going well’ between the Rio de Janerio outfit and the Old Gold over a possible transfer for the Brazilian.

The 33-year-old joined Wolves in September 2020 from Ligue 1 side Lyon and has gone on to make 30 appearances in the West Midlands, 17 of those coming this term as Bruno Lage’s side have established themselves as one of the best defensive units in the Premier League.

Under the Portuguese manager, Wolves have conceded just 26 goals in 30 league matches, the fourth-best defensive record in the English top flight.

The left wing-back has certainly contributed defensively when called upon this season, keeping six clean sheets in his 16 league matches, but he is yet to register a goal contribution despite Lage encouraging his wing-backs to get high up the pitch.

With the 33-year-old’s contract at Molineux expiring in the summer, this begs the question as to whether losing him would be a big deal.

Of course, the idea of Wolves retaining Marcal on their books would only work if he were to sign a new contract, but there is nothing wrong with keeping an experienced player in the squad.

At 33, the wing-back is one of the oldest members in Wolves’ playing ranks, well above the average squad age of 25.9 years.

However, we have already seen the major issues which have arisen as a result of injuries amongst Wolves’ wing-backs, with the recent injuries to Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever resulting in conventional left wing-back Jonny Otto deputising on the right flank. That has left Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcal as the only available left-sided wing-backs.

If the