Wolverhampton Wanderers are keen on signing Hwang Hee-chan on loan but face stiff competition from West Ham.
According to Mike McGrath of the Daily Telegraph on Twitter, Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing a loan move for RB Leipzig’s South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan.
The 25-year-old made a name for himself at RB Salzburg before moving to the Bundesliga side in 2020. He has since made 29 appearances for them, scoring three goals and assisting four more.
Hee-chan is an excellent dibbler and passer of the ball, is not afraid to get stuck in and make a tackle if needed. He also presents a threat on set pieces and could be a lethal player in the right system.
Capable of playing anywhere along the frontline, he could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the Molineux outfit. The Bruno Lage era at Wolverhampton has gotten off to a poor start, with them losing the first two Premier League games of the season.
While Raul Jimenez is back in action, the absence of Neto and an out of form Adama Traore largely blunts the Wolves attack. The latter has also been linked with a move away and could leave Lage shorthanded in the attack should a transfer materialize.
The South Korean player with Champions League experience will add some much-needed dynamism in the Wolves frontline. Not many forwards can claim to get the better of Virgil van Dijk. Hwang-hee is one of them, having bested the Dutchman at Anfield in the 2019/20 season.
While that performance might have come in a losing cause, the 24-year-old showcased he has the guile and ability to compete with the best. Whether he can ultimately make the most of a given opportunity remains to be seen.
Hee-chan is not necessarily an upgrade over who Wolves have at the moment. He has struggled at Leipzig, falling behind Dani Olmo, Christopher Nkunku and Emil Forsberg in the pecking order.
It is in Wolves’ best interest to pursue a loan deal. It should give them a first-hand look at whether the South Korean can make it in the Premier League. With Neto out at least until February, he is sure to get plenty of chances as well.
Wolves are, however, not the only team in the fray. Hee-chan has several admirers from across the continent including West Ham United, who can offer him better sporting prospect and the opportunity to play in the UEFA Europa League.
David Moyes deployed Jesse Lingard in a free attacking role last season to great effect. There is no reason why he cannot repeat the trick with the Leipzig forward. The Hammers for their part will also benefit by adding another threat to the frontline that is now overtly dependent on Michail Antonio.
Along with West Ham and Wolves, Brighton and Hove Albion and Atalanta have their desire to sign the 24-year-old, who is no Son Heung-min. But he can provide decent strength in depth and under the right leadership, he can fulfil his tremendous potential, much like his countryman.
