Reports suggest that striker Youssoufa Moukoko is aiming to secure a loan move away from Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming January transfer window, and Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) are rumored to be interested in him.
The 18-year-old has encountered difficulties in obtaining playing time during the 2023/24 season, having made just six appearances across all competitions, totaling a mere 66 minutes of game time.
Moukoko has not been brought on as a substitute in any of Dortmund’s last three Bundesliga matches.
Moukoko initially gained recognition in December 2020 when he became the youngest player to ever participate in the Bundesliga at the age of just 16 years and one day. However, his career has not unfolded as expected, and he is now contemplating a move, with Wolves reportedly monitoring the situation.
According to 90min, there is a possibility that Moukoko may leave Dortmund in January. His playing time has dwindled following the arrival of Niclas Fullkrug, prompting the young player to consider an exit in the next transfer window. His representatives are said to be exploring potential loan opportunities.
Wolves have shown interest in Moukoko, but they face competition from other clubs such as Brentford, Lazio, Fiorentina, Lens, and Lyon.
Moukoko’s desire for regular playing time is attributed to his aspiration to secure a spot in Germany’s final Euro 2024 squad.
Notably, Moukoko has been compared to the legendary Samuel Eto’o. The official Bundesliga website has highlighted their similarities as potent center-forwards who score goals mainly from within the penalty area and are more than just conventional goal poachers.
However, it may be unlikely for this move to materialize, as Wolves might not be able to provide the significant playing time Moukoko desires, especially with a major international tournament on the horizon.
Wolves already have young strikers in their squad, including Matheus Cunha, Sasa Kalajdzic, and Fabio Silva.
If Wolves intend to sign another center-forward in January, it may be more practical to target a more experienced player.
Bringing in Moukoko, along with an existing young striker like Silva and the promising Nathan Fraser, might not align with their current priorities. Wolves did make attempts to sign players like Che Adams and Boulaye Dia in the summer, but they faced challenges in those pursuits.
