Wolves have completed the signing of right wing-back Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona in a deal worth around £10m. The Belgium-born Cameroon international arrives after two seasons in Serie A, having begun his career at Charleroi.
The 22-year-old replaces outgoing former skipper Nélson Semedo, who left Wolves after turning down a new deal in favour of signing on a free with Fenerbahce. Tchatchoua’s top speed last season in Serie A was 36.3 km/h and he has agreed a five-year deal with the English club.
Boss Vítor Pereira is set to pursue at least two additional signings before the end of the window, with a striker and midfielder at the top of his shopping list. “I am waiting for the club’s assistance in signing some players,” he said following Wolves’ 3-1 home loss at Manchester City on Saturday.
At the same time, Wolves have signaled they are not willing to sell Jørgen Strand Larsen, even after Newcastle put him at the top of their shortlist. The Norway international only joined Molineux on a permanent basis in July after Wolves activated a £23m option following a 14-goal loan spree from Celta Vigo last term. Newcastle has been on the hunt for frontline additions amid uncertainty about the future of Alejandro Isak, but Wolves say only a superb offer would make them think twice about selling Strand Larsen, who is under contract until 2029.
Elsewhere, Wolves are set to allow Hwang Hee-chan to leave this summer. Crystal Palace are in talks about a loan move for the South Korean forward, who has slipped down the Wolves pecking order under Pereira after scoring just two league goals last season. Palace’s interest is boosted by their incoming sporting director, Matt Hobbs, who was instrumental in bringing Hwang from RB Leipzig to Wolves.
In Turkey, Fenerbahce are pushing to sign West Ham midfielder Edson Álvarez on loan with an option to buy. The Mexico international, on £115,000-a-week wages, is surplus to requirements under Graham Potter. West Ham value him at £20m but interest has been limited due to the financial package. Talks with Fenerbahce are advancing, while Porto and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the situation.
Álvarez has failed to impress since joining from Ajax in a £35m transfer after Declan Rice’s departure. He was red carded twice last season and remained on the bench during the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland. Guido Rodríguez, also out of favour, is available, while West Ham continue to target midfield reinforcements after missing out on Jacob Ramsey and Mateus Fernandes.
