Wolves ‘in talks’ over shock £12.8m transfer as Julen Lopetegui eyes reunion with Fulham target

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in negotiations with Sevilla over the potential signing of winger Lucas Ocampos, according to a reputable report.

Julen Lopetegui is said to be eager to reunite with the Argentinian after the pair spent three seasons together in Seville, but Wanderers will face competition from another Premier League club.

Ocampos has won two Europa League titles at Sevilla - including one under Lopetegui’s guidance - but has fallen down the pecking order. So much so, he was allowed to leave on loan to Ajax for the first half of last season.

He did come back in January, however, and was a regular starter throughout the final months of the campaign, registering five goals and two assists in 29 appearances across La Liga, the Europa League and Copa del Rey.

Ocampos’ days at Sevilla could be numbered this summer, though, as he has just one year left on his contract, meaning this is likely the last opportunity for the serial Europa League winners to earn a decent transfer fee.

Wanderers are one of the clubs alerted to Ocampos’ situation – and so are Fulham, according to a report in The Guardian.

It’s claimed “Wolves are in talks with Ocampos over a €15 million switch from Sevilla”, but an earlier report from Football Insider states Fulham are also in advanced conversations with Los Rojiblancos.

If the move for Ocampos doesn’t work out, the Cottagers may instead opt to sign Manor Solomon, following a successful loan spell. This could open the door up for Wolves to secure their man.

Ocampos, who turns 29 in July, has scored 39 goals and notched 17 assists in 161 career appearances for Sevilla. Before that, the Argentina international contributed 27 goals and 15 assists in 132 games for Marseille.