MX23RW : Wednesday, May 1 01:20:06| >> :600:97824:97824:

Wolves emerge as frontrunners for Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia?

Wolves emerge as frontrunners for Atletico's Kondogbia?
© Reuters
Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly emerge as the frontrunners to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia this summer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly hopeful of signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia this summer.

Having successfully moved Wolves off the bottom of the Premier League to 13th position, head coach Julen Lopetegui had plans for another spending spree over the coming months.

However, it has become known that the West Midlands outfit face FFP issues ahead of 2023-24, with the club effectively needing to sell and reduce their wage bill before they can buy new players.

Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa have already left on free transfers, as could Adama Traore if he opts against penning fresh terms at Molineux.

The situation surrounding Ruben Neves remains complex, though, with Barcelona allegedly reluctant to push through a big-money deal for the Portugal international.

Manchester United's Christian Eriksen in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves on May 13, 2023© Reuters

That impasse has the potential to frustrate Lopetegui and delay Wolves' efforts to do business, yet it appears that they have identified their preferred alternative.

According to AS, Wolves are ready to reignite their interest in Kondogbia, who is available for a cut-price fee.

Although the 30-year-old is a valued squad member at Wanda Metropolitano, he is available for transfer this summer as Atletico look to generate funds of their own.

Kondogbia made 13 starts and 11 substitute outings in La Liga and the Champions League during 2022-23, but he rarely featured during the second half of the campaign.

Geoffrey Kondogbia pictured ahead of a Champions League match for Valencia in November 2019© Reuters

Since his successful three-year stint with Valencia up until 2020, the Central African Republic international's stock has dropped courtesy of 38 of his 73 league outings for Atletico coming as a substitute.

Nevertheless, it has been stated that Wolves view him as the ideal target, particularly with Atletico allegedly willing to sell him for no more than €6m (£5.1m).

Wolves and Atletico are no strangers to doing business with the English side having signed Matheus Cunha in January, initially on loan with the obligation to buy.

A separate report has indicated that Besiktas are also contenders for Kondogbia, although the current bid from the Turkish giants is deemed far too low and the player prefers to move to the Premier League.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on May 20, 2023.
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona33227468392973
3GironaGirona33225669402971
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia33138123738-147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla33911134246-438
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


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