Lyon reportedly want Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre to replace departed Mendy

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French outfit Lyon want Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre this summer, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, via Sport Witness.

They report that the Ligue 1 side are looking for a new left back to replace Ferland Mendy, who has signed for Real Madrid in a deal worth a reported £47 million (BBC).

Lyon finished third in their division last season which means they could offer Vinagre a shot at Champions League football.

The report says that Vinagre would have to fight with Fernando Marcal for gametime, in a similar scenario to the one the youngster faces with Jonny Otto at Molineux.

They are apparently eyeing up a loan deal with an option to buy – and it’s difficult to see why Wolves would let one of their best young talents leave without getting any immediate cash in.

If Vinagre isn’t guaranteed first team action, then a loan deal wouldn’t make any sense and given Nuno Santo’s thin squad, every player is important.

Wolves should reject the proposal really, with the only potential complication coming if Vinagre gets seduced by the idea of playing in Europe’s elite club competition and wants the move.

But the youngster has a bright future and is good enough to force himself into contention more often in 2019/20.