Adama Traore in action for Wolverhampton Wanderers. (imago Images)
According to transfer news on El Nacional (h/t ESPN), Adama Traore has instructed his agent to orchestrate a departure from Wolves and seal a move to Real Madrid. The pacy winger has been a vital player under Bruno Lage this season in their bid to compete for European spots.
Traore was a product of La Masia and even joined the Barcelona B team in 2013. However, he eventually sealed a move to Aston Villa and joined Middlesbrough in the following season after the Villa Park outfit were relegated. In 2018, he signed for Wolves after Nuno Espirito Santo guided them back to the Premier League. Traore has been one of their best players since then but could seal an exit now.
Is it the right time for the Spaniard to depart England? And should Real Madrid try and sign him?
Since joining Wolves in 2018, Traore has made nearly 150 appearances for the Molineux outfit. He had an incredible 2019/20 season, as he scored 6 goals and provided 12 assists in 54 appearances, helping the club secure a 7th place finish that season.
However, his form has been faltering in the last two seasons, as he is yet to contribute to a goal in 16 appearances this term. But Real Madrid could try their hand out at signing the winger as there is more to a winger than just goals and assists. Los Blancos have been in a rebuild since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018. Eden Hazard arrived in the following season but has not been able to settle in well.
The Belgian winger is also apparently set for an exit in the coming months. Gareth Bale has had a topsy-turvy career at the Santiago Bernabeu, and his contract shall be up next summer. Isco shall also follow the same path if he does not sign an extension by the end of this season.
Kylian Mbappe could join the 13-time European champions in the summer, but he might eventually take over from Karim Benzema in the central role once his contract expires in 2023. In such a scenario, signing Traore would not be the worst move. The Spanish international honed his talent in Spain and could kick-start his career again with a return to his home country.
One of the fastest wingers in the Premier League (22.12mph), the 25-year-old may not be a ‘Galactico’ signing, but he is certainly one the La Liga club could use in the coming years.
Traore is pushing for a move to Madrid and Wolves are also willing to part ways with the player for as little as £18million. This is an ideal situation for the Spanish outfit because they can seal a deal for him without breaking the bank. It remains to be seen what wages Madrid can offer him but Florentino Perez is likely to hold leverage in negotiations since the player himself is angling for a transfer.
Carlo Ancelotti is trying to reconstruct his former club, and he will need all the help he can get. Several players are out of contract, and he needs to add fresh blood to revitalize the squad. The Spanish international is hungry and could hit his professional peak soon since he will only turn 26 next month.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr are still fairly young, and bringing in a player like Traore could help their development too, as their game-time can be managed, and their potential can be honed properly. Moreover, there is nothing Madrid might love more than singing a former La Masia player and using his talent to win several more trophies in the years to come.
