Wolves in Talks to Sign Young Striker Leonardo Campana After Zlatan Ibrahimovic Comparison

​Wolves are understood to be in talks to sign young striker Leonardo Campana from Ecuadorian side SC Barcelona SC. 

Campana produced a breakout performance at the 2019 South American Under-20 Championship, top-scoring with six goals as his Ecuador side defeated Argentina in the final to be crowned champions. 

Since then, the 19-year-old has been linked with a host of top clubs. In the summer ​Napoli were said to be leading the race for the youngster’s signature, however a report from ​Sky Sports News has emerged suggesting that Wolves are now in pole position to sign the forward having entered talks over a move.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are experiencing another good season and currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, while they also have a Europa League last 32 tie against La Liga’s bottom side Espanyol to contend with next month.

Alessandro Tripaldelli,Leonardo Campana

Competing on multiple fronts has tested Wolves’ thin squad and it is unlikely that Campana’s arrival would lessen this burden, with the Ecuadorian being viewed as not yet ready for Premier League football. Instead he would feature for the Under-23 side as the club staff monitored his progress.

Speaking to Calcio Napoli (via ​Tribal Football) in the summer, the starlet’s agent Federico Peña revealed that his client already speaks English, a fact that would likely make his transition to his potential new club easier. 

Campana also holds a Spanish passport, negating the need for a work permit which could scupper the deal.

Leonardo Campana

​”He speaks English fluently, frequented an international school and had opportunities that are almost unthinkable in Ecuador,” Peña stated.

“This is not a South American teenager distracted by parties or nightlife, but a highly-disciplined athlete who had a top level education. His father is a former tennis pro who participated in the Olympics, so he comes from good stock.

“He is a centre-forward, very tally and two-footed, there really is no difference between when he kicks with his left or his right. Despite being tall, he is not a static striker, but someone I’d compare – with all due respect and proportion – to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”

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Campana may not be the only player arriving at Molineux in January, with Wolves close to ​sealing a move in excess of £20m for RB Salzburg centre-forward Hwang Hee-Chan.

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