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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
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2Barcelona35237572432976
3GironaGirona35236675443175
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad351412948371154
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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