Wolves are close to signing Liverpool defender Ki-Jana Hoever for £10m, according to the Daily Mail and The Athletic

The highly rated 18-year-old, who can play at centre back, right back or right-wing back, has played four times for Liverpool's first team, but has not yet made a league appearance for the Reds

Hoever signed a new long-term contract last summer and was expected to be loaned out this season, but it now appears he is leaving Anfield for good. 

The transfer details

It's no secret that Wolves need a right-wing back, following the £15m sale of Matt Doherty to Tottenham last month. 

Wanderers had been linked with Porto wide men Jesus Corona and Tomas Esteves, but look to have found their man in Hoever. 

Adama Traore had filled in at wing back in the win against Bramall Lane, but struggled and was moved back into the front three midway through the second half. 

Oskar Buur Rasmussen also failed to impress in the Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke on Thursday, so it's no surprise that Nuno and chairman Jeff Shi have dipped into the transfer market for Hoever. 

Paying £10m for a highly rated youngster from the Premier League champions could represent real value for Wolves in the future, and Hoever is expected to sign a long-term deal at Molineux

Hoever's career so far

Liverpool signed Hoever from Ajax's famous academy, and were said to have beaten Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea to his signature. 

The Dutchman played half a season in Liverpool's U23 set up before making his first-team debut, coincidentally at Molineux in Liverpool's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Wolves in January 2019. 

He scored his first professional goal in his second Liverpool appearance, netting in a 2-0 win against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup in September 2019.  He made two further first team appearances, when Liverpool's U23 team were selected for cup fixtures against Aston Villa and Shrewsbury

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He has also represented his country at youth level, winning the U17 European Championship with Netherlands in 2019. 

What does this mean for current Wolves players?

Hoever's signing will ensure that Adama Traore will move to his more comfortable right-wing position. 

Traore had looked suspect defensively against Sheffield United, and could not support in attacks until he was moved further forward when Oskar Buur Rasmussen was brought on. 

Traore operating as an out-and-out winger again could spell trouble for Diogo Jota, who was not included in the match day 18 for the Stoke game on Thursday.

The Portuguese forward has found himself out of Nuno's starting XI in recent weeks, and has been linked with a move to Liverpool by James Pearce of The Athletic. 

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