Lazio 'holding talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over Fabio Silva deal'

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Fabio Silva has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Lazio.

After two seasons in and out of the side as a teenager, Silva was allowed to spend loan stints at Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven during 2022-23.

As hoped, the Portugal Under-21 international enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career, contributing 16 goals and six assists across 51 appearances for the two clubs.

The 20-year-old is now back at Molineux with Wolves left with a decision to make over how they handle the next phase of the striker's career, and whether it will occur in the West Midlands.

Although Silva effectively has four years left on his contract, his agent indicated last month that his preference would be to leave Wolves for a club on the continent.

© Reuters

As such, Silva will not be short of offers this summer, yet it remains to be seen whether any proposal will be put forward which suits the Wolves owners, who shelled out £35m on the youngster three years ago.

According to Ojogo, Lazio have expressed an interest in acquiring Silva's services for next season.

The report suggests that the Italian giants, who will participate in the Champions League during 2023-24, are angling for a loan deal with the option to buy.

Wolves are allegedly against such an offer, instead wanting to recoup at least €25m (£21.4m) if they are to cut their losses with the former Porto starlet.

© Reuters

Ciro Immobile is currently Lazio's star man in attack, scoring another 14 goals last season, but the striker turned 33 years of age in February and suitable competition is required.

Matteo Cancellieri has joined Lazio on a permanent deal from Hellas Verona, but the one-cap Italy international is viewed as a versatile playmaker over backup to Immobile.

Although Italian clubs are generally short of funds for the transfer market this summer, Lazio have just generated €40m (£34.2m) through the sale of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Al-Hilal.

From Wolves' perspective, Matheus Cunha, Raul Jimenez and Sasa Kalajdzic join Silva as centre-forward options for Julen Lopetegui, but Jimenez has been linked with an exit and Kalajdzic has only just returned to the training pitch after a serious knee injury.