Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil

Gary O'Neil Wolves is in the thick of pre-season training with Wolves (Image: Getty)

Wolverhampton Wanderers are keeping tabs on teenage winger Gabriel Aguayo after following his breakthrough season in South America. The West Midlands outfit have used their scouting network to snap up the likes of Pedro Neto and Max Kilman in recent years.

Gary O'Neil would naturally welcome another hidden gem as he looks to kick on from last season's 14th-place Premier League finish. Aguayo is a youngster on Wolves' radar and Express Sport understands that the club have explored what it would take to sign him permanently this summer.

Aguayo notched one goal and four assists in 18 first-team appearances for Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno last season, having broken into the senior side at the age of 19.

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The teenage talent can play out wide or in attacking midfield, and he has earned admirers for his high work rate and ability to drag his team up the pitch. It is understood he would be available on a permanent basis for just £3million.

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Wolves remain interested in Aguayo and could make an offer later in the summer once more pressing matters have been ticked off their to-do list. But dallying could see them miss out on the Paraguayan starlet, with MLS sides also in hot pursuit.

Nashville SC and D.C. United have both held discussions with a view to signing Aguayo on an initial loan deal which would be made permanent this winter.

Gabriel Aguayo (left) is fresh from a breakout season at Cerro Porteno (Image: Getty)

But Cerro Porteno, if they are to do a deal, would prefer to do a permanent one immediately. Wolves went into the summer prioritising the signing of a new centre-forward, and they quickly managed to snap up Jorgen Strand Larsen on loan.

Midfielder Rodrigo Gomes and right-back Pedro Lima have been recruited, with Tommy Doyle's loan also being made permanent. It remains to be seen whether Aguayo will join them on the arrivals list as his stock continues to rise.

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The 19-year-old was part of Paraguay's senior international squad during recent friendlies against Peru and Chile. And he is viewed as one of his nation's brightest talents of his age and position.

Speaking at the end of last season, O'Neil said of Wolves' summer transfer plans: "The owners have put in an awful lot of money in recent years and they're not in a position at the moment to put loads [more] in.

"So they'll be able to help with little bits but we won't be going out and signing £40m number nines. We have to be really clever and cute in what we're able to recruit. That's part of the challenge."

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Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil

Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil

Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil

Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil

Wolves tracking South American starlet in bid to unearth hidden gem for Gary O'Neil