Wolves must ruin West Ham transfer dream if £30m cash windfall lands | OneFootball

The Old Gold would be wise to swoop for the Wales international.

Wolves and West Ham will be in the same promotion conversation when the Championship season kicks off in August, but that rivalry may also extend to off the pitch.

The pair were both relegated from the Premier League last season, and while there was a significant gap between the two in terms of points, it is Wolves who have made early inroads in the transfer window.

The Old Gold have already signed Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez, which will place them as many people's favourites for the second-tier title, depending on how the rest of the transfer window unravels.

Indeed, if the Black Country club decide to cash in on one of their prized assets, then they would be wise to swoop for a talent who has been linked to the Hammers.

Wolves should challenge West Ham for Rubin Colwill if Matheus Mane departs

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While much of the focus at Molineux has been about marquee arrivals, there is every chance the Wolves could lose some of their most talented players, and one man who is primed for a big future is Mateus Mane.

The teenager made 27 appearances for the Old Gold in the Premier League last season, scoring three and assisting two, and showed flashes of quality while elevating his reputation despite his side's poor showing.

Indeed, the Portuguese has been linked with a £30million move out of the Molineux exit door, and if he were to depart, then the Black Country club would be wise to consider an option who has been interesting West Ham.

As the Hammers adjust their transfer strategy this summer, one man who has been reportedly catching their gaze is Cardiff City starlet Rubin Colwill, who enjoyed his best season in League One since rising through the ranks in the Welsh capital.

But why should the Old Gold be targeting a player who shone in the third tier?

Rubin Colwill ready to step up to the Championship

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While going for a player with League One pedigree may not excite the Wolves fan base, it would offer an appealing deal on several fronts.

Colwill yielded nine goals and eight assists in all competitions for the Bluebirds last term as Brian Barry-Murphy's side achieved promotion to the Championship, and the Wales international was one of the top performers in the division.

Last season, the 24-year-old's numbers were quite frankly frightening as his 57 chances created ranked as the highest of any player in his position, according to outmob.

Not only that, but Colwill also ranked in the top two per cent of attacking-midfielders for expected assists (xA), successful passes and accurate long balls, demonstrating his superb passing ability.

The Welshman already has plenty of Championship experience, having made 139 appearances in the second tier, but now that he has found consistency, he is primed to make a bigger impact. Liberated by a more possession-based style under Barry-Murphy, the maverick attacking midfielder's playmaking qualities, dynamic ball-carrying and keen eye for goal have all been platformed to perfection and, at 24, he still has room for further growth.

It's certainly not out of the question to suggest that Colwill could develop into a Premier League performer, such is the enormous natural talent at his disposal, and he will be expected to light the Championship up next season after making such remarkable progress.

If Wolves can rake in £30m for Mane, then they are going to need to spend on creativity, and considering that Colwill would only cost a fraction of that, a move for him feels like a no-brainer for the Old Gold.