Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified Metz midfielder Boubacar Traore as a summer transfer target.
Earlier this week, the West Midlands outfit made their second signing of the current window as they secured a deal for Valencia winger Goncalo Guedes.
However, at a time when squad numbers are already stretched, Wolves allowed captain Conor Coady to move to Everton on a season-long loan deal.
Head coach Bruno Lage has already hinted that fresh faces will arrive through the door over the coming weeks, with central midfield known to be a particular area which will likely be strengthened before the end of August.
According to RL Sports, Wolves have indicated to Metz that they want to negotiate a deal for 20-year-old Traore.
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The player has been with Metz since 2019, initially spending a year in the youth setup before soon becoming a member of the first-team squad.
Traore, a Mali Under-23 international, was a regular in the starting lineup during 2021-22, making a total of 27 appearances in Ligue 1.
Although the prospect found himself in and out of the team during the first half of the campaign, he frequently completed the 90 minutes from the turn of the year.
With Traore in the centre of the pitch, Metz recorded victories over Lyon and Angers during the run-in, only to have their relegation confirmed with a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on the final day.
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The report claims that Wolves are prepared to either pay up to €8m (£6.8m) this summer or agree to a season-long loan with the obligation to sign the player for €10m (£8.45m) in 2023.
As it stands, Metz are yet to make a decision on a player who has two years left on his contract, aware that he could help them earn an immediate return to the top flight.
From Wolves' perspective, signing Traore over the coming weeks would theoretically allow Luke Cundle to take up a loan spell at a club competing in the Championship, as was reported earlier in the summer.
Despite having turned 20 in April, Cundle has just 182 minutes of senior football under his belt, and Wolves are keen for his opportunities to increase over the next nine months.
Darren Plant
