Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui is using his 'Spanish connections' to try and entice Barcelona forward Abde Ezzalzouli to Molineux, journalist Pete O'Rourke has informed GIVEMESPORT.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at La Liga side Osasuna and signed a contract extension at the Nou Camp until 2026 before departing last summer.

Wolves latest transfer news - Abde Ezzalzouli

Last week, the Sunday Mirror [print edition 12/2/22, page 73] reported that Barcelona boss Xavi is open to selling Ezzalzouli to free up funds and improve his clubs' present financial situation.

In the January transfer window, SPORT claimed that the Moroccan has several suitors monitoring his situation, with Wolves said to be among the chasing pack for his signature.

The exact price range that it would take to tempt Barcelona to think about accepting an offer for Ezzalzouli is unclear; however, Spanish publication SPORT did also claim last year that €20 million (£17.75 million) may be enough to tempt the Catalan giants to sell the youngster.

Ezzalzouli has made 17 appearances in all competitions this campaign, registering one goal and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Abde Ezzalzouli?

Journalist O'Rourke thinks that any attempt to bring Ezzalzouli to Molineux would be a 'hard deal to do', though also thinks that Lopetegui could use his connections in his homeland to try and get it over the line.

O'Rourke informed GMS: "I think if any deal was to happen, it would probably only be a loan deal because Barcelona see him as being a long-term part of their plans. So as I said, it'll be a hard deal to do, but it does show that Lopetegui is using his Spanish connections to look for potential transfer targets".

Would Ezzalzouli be a good signing for Wolves?

Ezzalzouli is an exciting young prospect that possesses flair and an eye for goal that would suit Wolves' high-octane style of play under Lopetegui, though it is unclear whether he will become a Barcelona regular in the long term.

In 2022/23, FBRef show that the Morocco international has managed to perform 20 shot-creating actions, demonstrating his ability to fashion chances from relatively innocuous passages of play.

Wolves may need to start looking at alternatives out wide in the summer, with the increasing likelihood that Adama Traore will not sign a new contract at the club and could leave in the summer when his deal draws to a close.

Ezzalzouli could be an ideal solution to replace the 27-year-old, that has plenty of room for development and eventual sell-on value in the coming years.