At £17.1 million, Anderson Talisca might be the missing piece in Wolves puzzle

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have long been linked with a move for the talented Brazilian attacker Anderson Talisca. Represented by the super agent Jorge Mendes, who has helped bring several top players to Molineux, the forward has been a long-term target for the club.

In the summer of 2016, a deal appeared to be nearing completion. A Bola reported that Benfica and Wolves were ready to conclude a £20 million deal for the player. However, Talisca instead headed to Turkey with Benfica.

He thrived in the Super Lig and this summer, with Wolves promoted to the Premier League, the rumours resurfaced. Instead, Talisca joined big-spending Chinese super league club Guangzhou Evergrande on a six-month loan deal.

Now Wolves know just how much Talisca would have cost them, as the deal was recently made permanent. As reported by UOL, the Chinese club have paid a fee in the region of €19.2 million (£17.1 million) for the player.

Should Wolves have paid the same?

Talisca has been in fine form in China, with 14 goals in 14 games, but that is hardly an indicator of success in the Premier League.

The deal, which would have fallen just short of Adam Traore’s club record arrival in the summer, would, however, have added some much-needed goalscoring impetus to Wolves.

Raul Jimenez, Leo Bonatini and co have not been firing regularly. With just nine goals in the league this season, only four teams have scored less than Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Wolves were careful to stay within their limitations regarding Financial Fair Play this summer and that should be commended. However, snapping up Talisca for £17 million might have given them the goalscoring edge they appear to be lacking in order to push for Europe.