The dream defensive midfielder Wolves could still sign as deals collapse
Wolves have been linked with a bid for a Ukrainian midfielder who could play a crucial role in their relegation battle.
Not much has gone to plan for Wolves this season, and their January transfer window has been no different. Matheus Cunha hasn’t signed the new contract that was on the table amid widespread interest from Premier League rivals, and at least two key transfers seem increasingly unlikely to happen as Vitor Pereira scrambles to reshape his squad ahead of a relegation battle.
A few days ago, it looked as though Wolves were likely to sign Austrian defender Kevin Danso from French side Lens, adding some much needed physicality and poise to their back line, but Rennes, Juventus and Aston Villa have all entered the frame and the odds on Danso moving to the Molineux look increasingly thin. To make matters worse, the hunt for a new midfielder to replace the exiled Mario Lemina hasn’t worked out as hoped either – a bid for Real Betis’ Sergi Altimira has been rebuffed, according to reports.
The good news is that Wolves aren’t out of ideas, and there’s at least one more midfielder in the frame who could make a big difference to the Black Country club’s chances of survival – Dynamo Kyiv’s Volodymyr Brazhko, a Ukraine international who looks ready to take a significant step forward in his career.
Why Volodymyr Brazhko could become a crucial signing
The Express & Star are among outlets reporting that Wolves are weighing up a move for the 23-year-old, who has made eight appearances for his national team since breaking through into Dynamo’s starting line-up in the 2022/23 season. No valuation has yet been reported, and the €9m (£7.5m) estimated by Transfermarkt is likely to be rather lower than the true cost of a player whose contract runs until 2028.
A primarily defensive midfielder, Brazhko reads the game extremely well and is the type of player who puts himself in good positions on a regular basis, breaking down opposing moves and forcing turnovers without lunging in or throwing his body around the park. Detailed stats for the Ukrainian Premier League are challenging to come by at present, but in the Europa League he has averaged just under five turnovers per game despite playing stern opposition, including AS Roma, Lazio and Real Sociedad.
More importantly, Brazhko is also a composed player on the ball, with calm and quick feet helping him to manoeuvre the ball out of challenging situations and a good, accurate passing range. Media comparisons to Declan Rice are somewhat overblown – he doesn’t drive the ball forward in the same way and isn’t the kind of midfielder who looks to dribble when a pass is available – but he provides a rock solid base for possession, something Wolves, who have the second worst defensive record in the division, sorely need.
He also has a happy knack of scoring goals, especially from range, and despite rarely venturing into the opposing penalty area he already has 16 league goals for Dynamo from 68 games - a stunning lob over a stranded goalkeeper from the centre circle against Livyi Bereh was especially memorable. It would be an exaggeration to say that he would be a reliable source of goals for Wolves, but a midfielder with the knack of finding the net would be a handy addition to the squad.
Why Wolves need more than just a new midfielder
Of course, signing Brazhko to provide competition for André Trindade and João Gomes wouldn’t necessarily solve the Danso problem, although the Ukrainian has played as a centre-back on occasion, and would at least offer some depth if required - at just over 6’0”, however, Brazhko doesn’t necessarily have the size and strength so often required of a true centre-half.
Wolves’ defence has struggled this season, especially since losing Max Kilman to West Ham in the summer. Emmanuel Agbadou’s arrival should help to strengthen the back line, but more will be required, and Wolves’ struggles from set pieces, in particular, hint at the need for another taller player who is adept at dealing with balls into the box.
But Wolves need to ensure that they protect their back line from open play as well as from dead balls, and Brazhko would likely prove valuable in that regard, as well as helping Pereira’s team to control possession more easily, helping them to reduce the amount of time they spend watching the ball come back at them.
Brazhko wouldn’t solve every problem Wolves have, and the core of their midfield is among the squad’s stronger suits, but having depth for when injuries and suspensions hit may be vital down the home stretch. A centre-back remains the priority, but if Wolves can get a deal for the young Ukrainian over the line, then it could be a crucial part of the puzzle as they battle to stay in the Premier League. This is a deal that Wolves would do well to get over the line if the fee is even remotely reasonable.