🐺 Wolves’ Ambitious Summer Rebuild: Why Wallace Yan is the Perfect Partner for Jørgen Strand Larsen
After a rollercoaster 2024/25 campaign defined by grit, flashes of brilliance, and ultimately survival, Wolverhampton Wanderers enter the summer transfer window with a sense of both clarity and urgency. The departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United may have left a hole in the Wolves attack, but it also cleared the deck for a strategic reimagining under head coach Vítor Pereira — one that centers around the club’s emerging talisman: Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian striker, signed with relatively little fanfare, proved to be a revelation. His 14 Premier League goals marked an emphatic debut campaign and placed him firmly among the division’s most promising No. 9s. But beneath the surface of Strand Larsen’s success lies a truth Wolves can’t afford to ignore: he cannot do it alone.
This summer, Wolves are not simply shopping for reinforcements — they’re redefining the identity of their forward line, and one name has emerged as the club’s top attacking target: Wallace Yan, Flamengo’s 20-year-old speedster. With pace to burn, a fearless attacking instinct, and goals on the biggest stages, Wallace could be the ideal partner — or challenger — for Strand Larsen in the next chapter of Wolves’ evolution.
🔝 Jørgen Strand Larsen: A Star is Born
When Wolves signed Jørgen Strand Larsen, they were banking on upside. A technically sound, physically dominant forward with a strong record in La Liga and a growing international profile with Norway, he brought tools the club had lacked since the post-injury decline of Raúl Jiménez. Few expected him to settle so quickly, let alone become the team’s top scorer and most consistent performer in the final third.
In a campaign where Wolves struggled for fluency and consistency, Strand Larsen stood tall — both literally and metaphorically. His aerial strength, hold-up play, and tactical intelligence allowed Wolves to bypass midfield lines and compete with more possession-heavy sides. But there was a downside. Too often, Larsen was left isolated, forced to win long balls without any runners in behind or link-up support.
He was the engine — but there was no co-pilot.
That’s what makes the pursuit of Wallace Yan so compelling. Wolves don’t just want a back-up striker. They want a dynamic, complementary forward who can make runs beyond the defense, create chaos in transition, and turn half-chances into goals. They want someone who can make Strand Larsen better — and vice versa.
🇧🇷 Wallace Yan: A Rising Star With Speed, Skill, and Substance
At just 20 years old, Wallace Yan is already turning heads across South America and Europe. A product of Flamengo’s esteemed youth academy, the striker has quickly broken into the first team, showcasing his raw speed, close control, and fearless mentality. But it was his performances at the 2024 Club World Cup that catapulted him onto the global stage.
Goals against LAFC and Chelsea—both products of darting runs and clinical finishing—proved that Wallace could thrive under pressure. Even in Flamengo’s semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich, the Brazilian striker stood out as a player capable of stretching elite defences and operating on the counter with surgical precision.
From a scouting perspective, Wallace ticks all the boxes Wolves are seeking in a second striker or hybrid forward:
🔥 Pace: Arguably his most valuable asset. Wallace is rapid over both short and long distances, allowing him to beat high lines and create separation from defenders.
🎯 Instinctive Finishing: He doesn’t hesitate inside the box and has a keen eye for goal, especially in transition moments.
🧠 Off-the-Ball Movement: Intelligent runs into channels and behind backlines make him a constant threat.
🔁 Versatility: Can operate as a central striker, second forward, or wide attacker. Offers system flexibility for Pereira.
Flamengo’s asking price is reportedly between €15 million and €25 million, a fee well within Wolves’ budget and reflective of Wallace’s potential rather than just current output. For a Premier League side with a reputation for developing young talents—Pedro Neto, Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota—Wallace fits the mold perfectly.
🎯 The Tactical Vision: From Lone Striker to Twin Threat
Under Vítor Pereira, Wolves are expected to adopt a more structured yet flexible tactical identity. Last season, injuries and a lack of squad depth forced a pragmatic approach — often revolving around a lone striker system and low defensive blocks. But with reinforcements on the horizon, Pereira wants to evolve the attack, moving toward a dynamic front two that can combine physicality with pace.
This is where the potential pairing of Strand Larsen and Wallace becomes so enticing.
Imagine this:
Strand Larsen holds up play, drawing defenders toward him and winning aerial duels.
Wallace darts in behind, exploiting the space created by Larsen’s gravity.
Wolves shift into a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, with fullbacks or wingbacks providing width, while a creative midfielder (perhaps Fer Lopez or another new No. 10) feeds balls into channels.
It’s a modern version of the classic big-man/small-man partnership, but with pace, technique, and fluidity.
In games where Wolves are pinned deep, this setup also provides an immediate counter-attacking outlet. Pereira could even opt for a split forward system, encouraging long diagonal balls from the goalkeeper or center-backs — a system reminiscent of Leicester’s title-winning side or even Wolves under Nuno Espírito Santo.
📉 The Post-Neto Problem: A Lack of Genuine Pace
One of the defining problems Wolves faced in 2024/25 was a lack of pure speed in the final third. The departure of Pedro Neto to Chelsea removed their only consistent outlet for carrying the ball at pace. Though Hwang Hee-chan and Gonçalo Guedes offer short bursts of acceleration, neither has the sustained pace or durability to operate as a full-time solution.
Wallace Yan would change that dynamic immediately.
In fact, his inclusion would restore Wolves’ long-lost identity as a team that thrives on transitions. Under Nuno, Wolves were feared for their speed, verticality, and sudden attacking bursts. Wallace brings all of that, with the added bonus of being young, moldable, and hungry to prove himself in Europe.
🧱 Supporting Cast: A Reworked Attack Taking Shape
Wolves’ rebuild is not just about two forwards. It’s about creating a cohesive attacking unit that offers:
Depth
Versatility
Tactical options
Rotation potential for domestic and cup competitions
Summer so far:
✅ Fer Lopez (creative midfielder) adds vision and passing range.
🎯 Targeted: A second No. 10 or advanced playmaker to support the front line.
🎯 Priority: Wallace Yan — for pace, depth, and tactical balance.
If Wolves can land both a playmaker and Wallace, Pereira will have the tools to:
Play with a lone striker (Strand Larsen or Wallace)
Use two forwards
Shift between 4-2-3-1, 3-4-1-2, or even 4-4-2 depending on the opponent
💬 The Final Word: Wallace Could Be the Catalyst Wolves Need
Wolves aren’t just trying to survive anymore. With a new coach, a solid core, and fresh investment, they’re looking to compete, to play purposeful football, and to recapture the identity that made them one of the Premier League’s most admired mid-table clubs just a few seasons ago.
The formula is there:
A physical, intelligent striker in Strand Larsen.
A creative midfield hub in Fer Lopez.
A potential lightning rod in Wallace Yan.
At just 20 years old, Wallace represents more than a signing. He represents an idea — of speed, youth, energy, and possibility. With his addition, Wolves wouldn’t just replace Matheus Cunha — they’d evolve into a faster, more lethal, and tactically versatile team.
In a summer full of opportunity, Wallace might just be the defining move of Wolves’ rebuild.