Bristol City & West Brom must plot move to sign soon-to-be-axed Wolves player | OneFootball

Wolves defender Ki-Jana Hoever is set to leave the club this summer, as Bristol City and West Brom should plot moves

Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to undergo major changes to their squad this summer following relegation from the Premier League, with a long-serving defender now set to leave Molineux after six years.

After finishing rock-bottom of the Premier League, Wolves will be playing Championship football once again for the first time in eight years, with the Old Gold preparing for life back in the second tier.

It was assumed that Welsh boss Rob Edwards would guide them into the Championship despite relegation, so when he was dismissed and replaced by relatively unknown Portuguese boss Cesar Peixoto, it came as a shock to many.

Both Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez joined on free transfers prior to his arrival, while Comoros international Rafiki Said has become his first addition since arriving in the Black Country, joining from Standard Liege for around £7.7 million.

Matt Doherty remains the only notable outgoing as yet, following his contract expiry, though with interest in the likes of Joao Gomes and Sam Johnstone rife, more exits are expected sooner rather than later.

Joining Doherty through the Molineux fire escape appears to be Dutch right-back Ki-Jana Hoever, who, according to the Express & Star, has been omitted from the pre-season trip to Portugal and is expected to leave the club.

Hoever, 24, joined Wolves in the summer of 2020 from Liverpool for around £13.5 million, but has made just 33 first-team appearances for the club, spending time out on loan with the likes of PSV, Stoke City, Sheffield United, and Auxerre.

Now, with a permanent exit on the horizon, FLW has taken a look at two EFL clubs that should plot a move for the out-of-favour defender.

Bristol City

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Bristol City are undergoing major changes of their own, with former Arsenal technical director James Ellis joining the club as sporting director, appointing former Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala as their new head coach, with numerous additions in the playing squad to boot.

Sam Tickle joins from Wigan Athletic, Sam Greenwood has signed from Polish outfit Pogon Szczecin, Gibson Yah has signed on the dotted line from FC Volendam, and Lisav Eissat has travelled from Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.

However, with Mark Sykes leaving the club on a free transfer following the end of his contract, and Ross McCrorie returning to his boyhood club Rangers, Bristol City have a gap at right-back/right wing-back at Ashton Gate.

Hoever, who shone as a wing-back in either a back three or four during his time with Stoke a couple of years ago, could be an excellent fit for the Robins.

Ipswich Town's Harry Clarke has also been touted with a move to Bristol City, though with a deal with the Tractor Boys having yet to progress, the Dutchman could be an excellent alternative.

Still only 24, Hoever has been unable to find a permanent home yet in his career, and with an exit from Wolves looking increasingly likely this summer, a switch to a fellow Championship rival could be an excellent fit.

Adept at playing in numerous roles, the Dutchman is a player that Skubala could use incredibly effectively, and is likely to be available on a cut-price deal, should they swoop for the former Liverpool defender whilst they still can.

West Bromwich Albion

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Heading into next season, West Brom have just Alfie Gilchrist as their only recognised senior right-back in the squad, though efforts have already been made by the Baggies to change that.

Following an impressive loan spell from Crystal Palace in the second half of last campaign, West Brom head coach James Morrison has made his intentions of making a return for Danny Imray clear.

Imray, 22, scored once and assisted twice in 16 appearances from right-back, and heavily impressed in what was his first spell in the Championship.

Now, with Pierre Sage replacing Oliver Glasner at the helm at Selhurst Park, a return for the Englishman doesn't appear to be clear, and Morrison should look to his Black Country rivals in a move for Hoever.

With just one year left on his deal at Molineux, and it being made clear that he is not in Wolves' plans, should Hoever look to remain close to where he is now, West Brom would be the perfect destination for him.

Having failed to nail down a consistent place during his six years with the Old Gold, the Dutchman may feel as though he has a point to prove to his soon-to-be former employers, and what better place to do that than their bitter rivals?

It would be a controversial move for both parties, but one the Baggies would be remiss not to explore should the opportunity arise, with Hoever having the potential to take West Brom's defence to the next level.