Recent reports have suggested that Wolves will target Sporting’s Manuel Ugarte this summer as a potential replacement for Ruben Neves, yet Julen Lopetegui may already have his ideal heir at Molineux.
Could Wolves replace Ruben Neves with Joe Hodge?
According to Spanish news publication Sport, Wolves are one of the most interested sides in Ugarte, who has been one of the star performers in Ruben Amorim’s side so far this campaign, averaging a superb 7.02 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
The report goes as far as to suggest that Wolves will target the Uruguay international as a direct replacement for Neves, who is expected to leave Molineux this summer, with Barcelona one of the sides who have been credited with an interest in the former Porto man.
However, Ugarte is only 21 and given that Chelsea were forced to pay a British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez, who was impressing in the same division, Wolves could be forced to pay a similarly eye-watering fee for the Sporting Lisbon starlet this summer.
Therefore, Lopetegui might be better off looking towards Wolves’ current first-team squad in his search for a Neves heir at the end of the season and could find a dream long-term option in Joe Hodge.
Hodge has broken into Wolves’ first team since joining from Manchester City and the 20-year-old looks to have all the attributes required to be a big hit in the Old Gold’s first team in the future.
He was recently rewarded with a new four-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux and boasts 10 first-team appearances already this season, which suggests that he is highly rated by Lopetegui and the senior staff.
Hodge, who was described as a “midfield destroyer” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has certainly won over U23s boss James Collins during his two years with the Old Gold.
Last year, Collins said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Joe. He’s a manager’s dream in the fact that he’s got talent and ability, but also understands that to make it at the top level or any level of professional football you have to do the hard work and the hard yards.”
These comments suggest that the 20-year-old has the work ethic to go along with his quality on the pitch and this bodes well for his future development at the club, which is why he could be a future star in the middle of the park.
There will certainly be a big gap to fill in Wolves’ midfield next season if Neves completes his expected move away from Molineux but if Hodge can live up to his potential and impress Lopetegui in pre-season, the Spaniard might not need to spend big on a replacement such as Ugarte.
It would save the owners millions and give the supporters a player to root for, given that the gem – via Manchester City – has come up through their academy set-up.
