Lage could land "frightening" Raul heir as Wolves plot bid for "special" £17m predator - opinion

Wolverhampton Wanderers have received a boost in their pursuit of Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, with the teenager set to be allowed to leave the Ligue 1 side.

As per Chronicle Live, the French outfit have named their price for the young starlet, amid interest from the Molineux outfit and others, with the 19-year-old reportedly having been told he can move on this summer.

Speaking in an interview about the Frenchman’s situation, as included in the report, club president Jean-Pierre Caillot stated that it will cost a minimum of €20m (£17m), plus bonuses, for any suitor to be successful in their bid: “The amount should be more than €20million. Afterwards, you have to know how to be reasonable.”

Wolves have previously been tipped to sign the breakout star, while fellow Premier League side Newcastle United saw a deal collapse in January after the player opted against a winter departure.

Securing a new striking addition has become something of a priority for Bruno Lage and co, with current leading man Raul Jimenez having endured a frustrating campaign last time out, netting just six top-flight goals all season for the Old Gold.

The once prolific Mexican – who netted 30 goals in his first two Premier League campaigns combined – has perhaps understandably suffered a drop in form having only returned from a serious head injury at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

The 31-year-old suffered a fractured skull following a brutal collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz in November 2020, the resulting injury ruling him out of both training and competitive action for over six months, such was the severity of the issue.

To his credit, the former Benfica man has bravely returned to action, although the time has perhaps come for someone