Wolves have been active in the January transfer window trying to strengthen the side for the second half of the season. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the West Midlands side have now reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Noha Lemina, reuniting the youngster with his brother, Mario, who already plays for the club.
Wolves Reach Agreement to Sign Noha Lemina on Loan
Who Is Noha Lemina?
Described by French scout, Jaceg Kulig as “special”, the Gabon-born 18-year-old is the younger brother of Mario, who has had a fantastic season in old gold after signing last January.
The younger Lemina has little first-team experience and will be regarded as one for the future. Coming through the PSG academy, he was handed his senior contract in 2022 but has failed to gain any competitive game time for the Parisian club. His loan to Serie B side, Sampdoria has been almost as uneventful, earning just one appearance since last August.
But his inexperience has not put off suitors. He has been a regular in French U-17 squads, having not declared (yet) for Gabon, like his older brother. He also gained major plaudits in a pre-season friendly for the French club against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
The French youth player is a versatile forward, unlike his defensively-minded midfielder brother, and can be deployed out wide, as an attacking midfielder, or as an inside forward. Express and Star reporter, Liam Keen suggested that he would train with the first team but not be expected to make an instant impact in senior matches.
Overcoming Obstacles in the Signing
Two obstacles have stood in the way of the Black Country side reuniting the Gabonese brothers: finances and work permits.
The Wanderers have escaped sanctions for breaching profit and sustainability regulations this reporting year by the skin of their teeth, and there is very little headroom in their budgets for expenditure. Whilst the transfer fee for the youngster is not substantial, a loan with an option would be the preferred outcome, as it pushes any financial commitment into the summer, when they are likely to be freer to spend.
In addition, permission to work in the UK was a problem. Having only played 15 minutes of senior football in Serie B, the youngster was unlikely to meet the basic post-Brexit requirements to travel to Wolverhampton and play. It was suggested that Wolves might have to rely on a special rule introduced last year that grants work permits for elite talents who otherwise do not qualify.
Fans of the club would however be thrilled that their club has overcome these difficulties in signing the youngster.
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