The myth about Wolves star Adama Traore that needs to be crushed

Adama Traore is smiling again having returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers for pre-season.

Traore has been back at Wolves’ Compton Park training base for ten days following the end of his loan spell at boyhood club Barcelona. Wolves’ hierarchy and Traore hoped his loan stint at Barcelona would become a permanent one, but that is now off the table.

The absence of a purchase obligation in that particular loan deal has left Wolves in a very awkward position with Traore, whose contract at Molineux expires next summer. Traore has refused multiple contract offers and it would need a considerable U-turn for his Wolves career to continue beyond next May.

All of the power is in Traore’s hands. If he sees out the remainder of his Wolves contract, Traore will undoubtedly have better offers on the table next summer.

Wolves owners Fosun would prefer a sale this summer in order to recoup some of the £18 million they paid Middlesbrough for him in 2018. Wolves stand little chance of raking in more than that figure for Traore now.

There will, of course, be clubs willing to pay that kind of cash for a player who is one of the most devastating in Europe when he’s on song. But Traore’s suitors now will be far more modest than they were in 2020, when he was at the peak of his powers and all of Europe’s elite were in the mix for his signature. Wolves valued him at more than £60m back then.

Wolves supporters seem split on what is the best course of action. A lot of fans want to see Traore stick around and play under Bruno Lage, whereas others want to avoid the financial hit of him walking away on a free transfer.

There are arguments for and against, but one thing which cannot come into question is Traore’s attitude and application. The winger