Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Real Betis.
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Barcelona, Traore has regained his spot in the Wolves starting lineup this campaign.
In total, the Spain international has made eight starts and six substitute appearances, but the 26-year-old's future at Molineux remains very much in doubt.
Traore has just over seven months remaining on his contract and he has previously expressed a desire to return to his homeland at some point in the future.
While the attacker did not clarify if he was planning to play in La Liga from 2023 onwards, the recent revelation will not leave Wolves optimistic about agreeing a renewal.
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New head coach Julen Lopetegui, who knows Traore from their days with Spain's youth setup, has acknowledged that he would like to retain the services of the player, but it appears that he will not be short of offers over the coming weeks and months.
According to Estadio Deportivo and journalist Ekrem Konur, Real Betis hold an interest in signing Traore in 2023.
Under Manuel Pellegrini, Betis have become regular challengers for European qualification and they currently sit in sixth spot in the La Liga standings.
Luiz Henrique, a summer arrival from Fluminense, has been a regular in Spain's top flight and the Europa League, but the first report claims that Napoli have emerged as admirers of the 21-year-old.
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Although Henrique is tied to Betis until 2028, it is suggested that the Green-and-Whites regard Traore as an alternative to their recent acquisition in the event that Napoli make a formal bid.
That comes at a time when the the current Serie A leaders have also been credited with an interest in Traore by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Betis are only likely to consider the sale of Henrique if they receive a fee well in excess of the initial €7m that they paid earlier this year.
Meanwhile, given Wolves' predicament at the bottom of the Premier League standings, Lopetegui may insist on keeping Traore for the remainder of the season, despite running the risk of losing him on a free transfer.
Darren Plant
