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Wolves boss Nuno coy on January targets

Cape Town - Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo admits he is looking to sign more players in January but would not specify individual targets.

After starting the season early due to Europa League qualifying in the summer, Wolves are gearing up for their 29th game of the campaign on Sunday when they head to Brighton.

Nuno has a relatively small squad at his disposal and has largely used the same players in both competitions.

Goalkeeper Rui Patricio has already racked up 25 appearances, while defender Conor Coady and striker Raul Jiminez have missed just two games each.

Wolves sit fifth in the Premier League and are already through to the Europa League knockout stage with a game to spare, and Nuno is eager to boost his options in the New Year to ensure his side can maintain their form until the end of the campaign.

“We’re going to bring players in,” he said, as reported by the Birmingham Mail. “We need players to help the squad that can give us new solutions because it’s going to be a very long season.”

When pressed further Nuno simply said “players” in typically cryptic fashion but there has been plenty of speculation doing the rounds regarding possible Molineux arrivals in recent weeks.

A striker could well be on the agenda as Jimenez has largely shouldered the burden of leading the line on his own, supported by two wide men, as although summer buy Patrick Cutrone has managed 19 appearances across all competitions, he has only managed three Premier League starts.

Cutrone arrived from AC Milan and it has been suggested Wolves could raid the San Siro again to snare Krzysztof Piatek, as the Rossoneri are apparently open to offers to fund moves for their own targets.

Former Watford man Odion Ighalo has also emerged as a surprise target. Ighalo is currently playing in China but would be open to a Premier League return, although a number of clubs have also been linked with the Nigerian.

Wolves do look fairly well-stocked in midfield and head of recruitment John Marshall has previously said that is not a priority area ahead of the mid-season window.

It is a different story in defence though as Romain Saiss has been playing at centre-half of late due to Willy Boly’s injury.

Saiss does play at the back for national side Morocco and has looked comfortable in Wolves’ back three – but that does not mean a centre-half isn’t on the agenda for Nuno.

Wolves have been linked with an ambitious move for 22-year-old Benfica star Ruben Dias but whether they can convince the Portuguese giants to sell remains to be seen.

The Lisbon club apparently values Dias at a whopping £60 million and Manchester City are also thought to be keen.

Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile has also been suggested as a potential defensive target for Wolves ahead of the January window.

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