Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham are among a number of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Wolves’ attacker Hwang Hee-chan, who could leave Molineux this summer amid the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) problems.
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui’s own future is cast into doubt following FFP issues, and Aston Villa, who have qualified for European football next season, could raid their arch-rivals. One of the players who could be sold by the Wanderers to comply with the FFP rules and regulations is Hwang Hee-chan.
Hwang, 27, signed permanently for Wolves from RB Leipzig last year after a successful loan spell. Nicknamed ‘Bull’, the South Korean only managed three goals and an assist in 27 Premier League games, yet his contributions at the back end of the campaign were pivotal in helping Wolves maintain their top-flight status.
The 27-year-old’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with Aston Villa reportedly registering an interest in the versatile attacker. Spurs have taken notice of Hwang while Newcastle United have made an enquiry so far.
Should Aston Villa make a move for Hwang Hee-chan?
Aston Villa are set to bolster their squad this summer ahead of next season’s Europa Conference League qualifiers. Unai Emery has done an excellent job since arriving at the club in December, and he will be keen on continuing Villa’s rebuild.
One of the biggest success stories under Emery at Villa Park has been Ollie Watkins. Watkins, 27, has finished the season as Villa’s top scorer with 15 goals. On top of his goals, he has six assists under his banner. While the Englishman is expected to spearhead Villa’s attack next season, Emery would be keen to add a new striker to his ranks.
Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan has emerged as an option for Villa. Hwang has bagged nine goals and four assists in 62 appearances for Wolves so far. Those numbers aren’t great for a forward but the South Korean brings a lot more to the table than the goal contributions. He is a selfless, quick and flexible player whose work ethic and energy would make him a good fit in Emery’s system at Villa.
Comfortable with both feet, with a low centre of gravity and the strength to hold off an opponent and use his burst of acceleration to exploit space, Hwang could become a devasting attacking weapon in transition for Villa. He is also a good passer of the ball while possessing the flair to create opportunities for the likes of Watkins, Bailey and Buendia.
Hwang has shown flashes of promise in the Premier League, and with Wolves needing to balance their books in the summer, Villa must test their resolve with a bid for the South Korean international. He definitely has the qualities to become a smart acquisition for Emery’s side.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.