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55.3 passes and 4 long balls per game: £18m a no-brainer for player perfect for Wolves – opinion

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Despite the Premier League still having nine games to go before its conclusion, Wolves already look ready to make a splash in the summer transfer market, and have reportedly made an offer for a player.

According to L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have made a bid worth £13.45m (€15m) for French centre back Axel Disasi, who has also been attracting the interest of Arsenal in recent weeks.

The Stade de Reims defender has played 27 league games this season, helping his team defy expectations in the league, leaving them in sixth before Ligue 1 was brought to a halt for coronavirus reasons, meaning that they will be playing Europe next season.

The 22-year-old might be somewhat of an unknown to those this side of the channel, but his performances in his home country have helped his side have the best defence in the entire division – not bad considering how dominant PSG are.

With the club slightly low on numbers in the centre back position, it should come as no surprise that one of their reported targets is in exactly that position.

Right now, Wolves are having to rely on the versatility of players such as Leander Dendoncker and Romain Saiss to prevent the club from being short in that area. Apart from those two, there is only Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Max Kilman who are comfortable in that position within the first-team squad.

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Nevertheless, Disasi will not be wanted just to make up the numbers, as his performances and stats this season suggest that he could be a perfect fit for Nuno’s team.

With Wolves’ system playing three at the back, it is pretty imperative that the centre backs are comfortable on the ball – Disasi is certainly that.

From a passing perspective, the defender averages 0.2 key passes, 55.3 passes and four long balls per game, showing that not only is he comfortable making easier passes, but he also has the passing range and confidence to play longer-ranged balls – something that Adama Traore might well appreciate.

Defensively, his stats are also pretty reading. He averages 1.2 tackles, one interception, 0.9 blocks and juicy 3.6 clearances per game, and with him also towering in at six foot and three inches, he certainly has a lot of strings to his bow.

Get French Football News say that Reims are demanding a fee of around £18m (€20m), which suggests he could be an affordable signing for the club.

Given that Wolves are light in this position and the fact he could suit the system so well, this looks like it would be a wise signing for Nuno and his team.

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