Wolves bid for £13m Premier League star nearly opened door for £50m Liverpool swoop

Wolves reportedly attempted to sign Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia at the end of the winter transfer window but were turned down.

Dutch journalist Martin Krabbendam has revealed - via Voetbal Verslaafd - that Malacia had the opportunity to join Wolves but rejected the Old Gold in favour of a move to PSV Eindhoven.

Wanderers are already fairly well-stocked at left-back and left wing-back with Rayan Ait-Nouri leading the way and Rodrigo Gomes more than capable of slotting into the latter role. Toti Gomes, meanwhile, has often featured as an out-and-out left-back when Wolves have opted for a flat four.

Malacia, signed by Man Utd for £13 million in July 2022, never fully hit the ground running in England. The nine-time former Netherlands international played 22 times in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season but then suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing his left meniscus and being sidelined for nearly 18 months.

It was hoped Malacia could rediscover his form upon his return but he’s featured just eight times this campaign, racking up merely 316 minutes across all competitions. The decision has now been made to loan him out to PSV for the rest of this term but Wolves made an offer too.

Signing Malacia would have bolstered Vitor Pereira’s depth and - if permanent - would have future-proofed Wolves ahead of the possible future sale of Ait-Nouri. Wanderers’ Algerian left-back has been heavily linked with Liverpool over recent seasons and the Reds are beginning to explore their options with Andy Robertson’s ability gradually slumping.

The thought of losing Ait-Nouri won’t be pleasant for Wolves fans but it’s unfortunately inevitable at some stage given the buy-and-sell operation at the football club. If Liverpool are to make a move, reports have suggested it would take a bid in excess of £50 million to lure Ait-Nouri away from Molineux.

Dutch fans fume over Malacia transfer

Malacia’s transfer decision caused plenty of upset at his previous club, Feyenoord, as he was given the chance to return but joined rivals PSV instead. “A lot of people in Rotterdam are angry because he’s going to PSV,” Krabbendam said during a live broadcast of Voetbal International.

“But Feyenoord already has three left backs and that guy just chooses his own career. He could also have gone to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but when PSV comes then you just have to go and play for PSV. I understand the sentiment (of returning to Feyenoord), but players reason differently.”

As Krabbendam alludes to, it was very difficult to turn down PSV as the Eindhoven club are currently leading the Eredivisie with 50 points from 21 matches. Ajax, back near their best after a terrible 2023/24 season, are two points behind PSV and with a game in hand, setting up a dramatic final 13 matches of the season.

PSV also remain in the UEFA Champions League with a two-legged play-off tie against Juventus penned in for February 11 and February 19. The winner will take on either AC Milan or Feyenoord in the last 16.

In other news, the FA have made an official decision ahead of Blackburn Rovers vs Wolves in the FA Cup.