With Nuno Espirito Santo only having Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Max Kilman as natural centre-back options, Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to bolster their backline in the summer transfer window.
In addition to Manchester City’s Tosin Adarabioyo, one defender they’re showing interest in is Christian Luyindama – Fanatik via Tribal Football reported a week ago that Wolves were keen on the 26-year-old.
Little was known about Luyindama when his market value was only £180k in 2017, but the DR Congo international now has a €15m (£13.95m) asking price and boasts Champions League pedigree. So who is the centre-back enjoying a mercurial rise to prominence?
Luyindama came in Europe in January 2017, joining Standard Liege on loan and making six appearances before turning the move permanent in July. As per Transfermarkt, he was a regular for Standard ever since, making 38 appearances in 2017/18 and 30 in 2018/19 before Galatasaray came knocking in January 2019.
The 26-year-old has spent the last 14 months at the Türk Telekom Stadium, making 32 appearances across the board, and has attracted interest from a number of clubs – West Ham United want to battle Wolves for his services while Sabah say Aston Villa nearly signed him in January.
As per WhoScored, Luyindama has made 10 Super Lig appearances this season, completed 84.8% of his 514 passes, won 44 aerial duels (64.7%), made six successful dribbles (54.5%), had nine shots with 33% accuracy, made 38 clearances, blocked eights shots/passes/crosses, given away 10 fouls and averaged a tackle (17) or interception (12) every 30 minutes.
He picked up a serious knee injury in November that kept him out of action for four months, but Africa Top Sports revealed he’s finally recovered and will be available when the Covid-19 postponement ends.
Nuno has Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker to operate in makeshift defensive roles, but their presence in the backline means Wolves don’t have cover in midfield. A new face is needed at the heart of the defence as a result.
Whether Wolves will promote Dion Sanderson, recall Ryan Bennett or sign a centre-back remains to be seen, however.
