Wolverhampton Wanderers look to be out there for a brand new right-back this month and whereas Ethan Ingram is unlikely to be a first-team signing, it appears as if Julen Lopetegui is eager on recruiting the West Bromwich Albion defender.
In a current interview with Football FanCast, journalist Pete O’Rourke shared the lowdown on a possible Wolves transfer for the 19-year-old gem.
He mentioned: “Wolves are out there for a brand new right-back and are holding tabs on Ethan Ingram’s state of affairs on the Hawthorns.”
His contract on the Hawthorns can also be set to run out in 2024, with a report from Football Insider suggesting that an exit could possibly be on the playing cards, with a brand new deal at the moment not on the playing cards.
The England U20 worldwide has made simply two senior appearances for the Baggies in his profession, that includes in two League Cup ties throughout the previous two seasons, however he’s but to make his Championship debut.
This implies that he in all probability wouldn’t oust the senior choices at Molineux at first, however he might clear up two large issues in the long run.
Firstly, is the shortage of defensively competent choices at right-back in Lopetegui’s squad, with each Nelson Semedo and Jonny having struggled for type thus far this marketing campaign, with WhoScored rating them because the tenth and 14th-best performers after some disappointing shows.
This has led Lopetegui to advertise Dexter Lembikisa to the first-team squad in current weeks, and Ingram might discover himself competing with the academy expertise for a spot within the beginning facet sooner or later.
Secondly, is the shortage of homegrown, English gamers at Wolves. Since his arrival at Molineux, Lopetegui has made steps in the correct route to extend the Previous Gold’s homegrown quota, with Craig Dawson and Daniel Bentley joining the squad, whereas Lembikisa and Joe Hodge have each been promoted from the academy setup.
Earlier than this, there was arguably solely Max Kilman who certified as a homegrown English participant within the squad, in comparison with nine gamers of Portuguese descent.
Subsequently, it could possibly solely be an excellent factor that Wolves need to signal promising younger English skills on a budget, particularly in a market the place the value of English gamers is undoubtedly inflated.
Ought to the Previous Gold full a transfer for Ingram, both this month or one other time, it looks like a low-risk, high-reward by Lopetegui.