Wolves scouts plan to keep a close eye on DR Congo attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, FootballBlog.co.uk has learned.
Relegation is looking increasingly likely for Wolves — on course to be the worst team in Premier League history after taking just three points from their first 15 games.
Goal-shy Wolves eye Mario Stroeykens
The Molineux outfit are expected to be busy in the January transfer window, with new manager Rob Edwards keen to improve his squad in multiple areas ahead of a potential promotion push next season — if not a remarkable survival bid this season.
Wolves have only scored eight goals this term — 13 below the Premier League average — and Edwards is desperate to inject more creativity into his attack.
Stroeykens is a versatile player who can operate anywhere across midfield, as well as out wide or as a No 10. He likes to get on the ball in tight spaces and play progressive passes, while he is also a sharp dribbler.
Wolves have plenty of money to spend after making a net profit of around £20 million during the summer. Wolves were one of seven Premier League clubs with negative net spends, along with Chelsea, Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
Hundreds of Wolves supporters vented their frustration during a protest held outside Molineux during Monday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United. Chants aimed at chairman Jeff Shi and Fosun International, which owns Wolves, included: “You sold the team, now sell the club.”
Mario Stroeykens pictured (back row, second left) celebrating with his teammates after DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties in November to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Mario Stroeykens could cost £20m
Stroeykens has made over 150 first-team appearances for Anderlecht since coming through the club’s famous academy.
The 21-year-old was courted by West Ham United during the summer, before Mateus Fernandes eventually arrived at the London Stadium from Southampton for around £38 million.
Stroeykens would cost significantly less than that, with Anderlecht believed to value him between £15m and £20m.
Mario Stroeykens to play for DR Congo at AFCON 2025
Stroeykens was born on the outskirts of Brussels and played for Belgium from U15 level all the way through to the U21s.
But he will represent DR Congo at AFCON 2025 after FIFA approved his application to switch his international allegiance on account of his Congolese-French mother.
Stroeykens is now expected to play a key role for DR Congo, who will compete in Group D alongside Benin, Botswana and Senegal.
Representatives from Wolves will closely track his performances at the tournament in Morocco, which begins on December 21 and ends on January 18.
Should he impress sufficiently, Wolves would prefer to bring him in before the end of the January transfer window. However, they could be open to a delayed summer arrival should such a deal come with a significant discount.
