Udinese have opened talks to sign Patrick Cutrone on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Cutrone has had a tough time since joining Wolves and, despite returning from his loan at Fiorentina this month and subsequently playing in the FA Cup matches against Crystal Palace and Chorley and the Premier League defeats to Everton and West Bromwich Albion, he has fallen down the pecking order again since the loan addition of Willian Jose.
Udinese in Talks to Sign Patrick Cutrone
Wolves’ Striker Crisis
Since joining Wolves from AC Milan in 2019, the Italian striker has failed to settle, scoring a total of three goals in 24 appearances.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been without leading marksman Raul Jimenez for much of the season after he suffered a fractured skull, meaning that Wolves have had to either rely on teenager Fabio Silva to lead the line or play wingers Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence in a pair up front.
Neither of the systems have worked particularly well, leading to Wolves being sat 14th in the table and without a win in the Premier League since December 15.
When the 23-year-old was recalled from Fiorentina, there was some suggestion that he could ease the burden on those that had essentially been filling the gap for Wolves in their striker department.
However, with the addition of Willian Jose on loan from Real Sociedad for the rest of the season and Jimenez returning to light training, the need for Cutrone has evaporated again.
Udinese’s Issues
It’s clear there’s still a lot of quality to come from Cutrone. Wolves would not have paid around £25 million for his services if not. But he is in danger of becoming one of the many talented players who fail to adapt to the Premier League, and a return to Italy might be what he needs to get his confidence back.
Udinese themselves are in need of something different too. They have only won four times in Serie A this season and are among the lowest scorers in the division – only Genoa and Parma have scored fewer. Even bottom side Crotone have found the net on more occasions.
Luca Gotti’s side are also winless in their last five, three of those have been draws, suggesting that there is a hint of defensive stability and that the real issue lies at the other end of the pitch.
Cutrone, even at his young age, has proven he can cut it in Serie A after he came onto the scene at AC Milan. A return to his native country should do him some good and, as Udinese will be hoping, can give them a better end to the season than they are currently on course for.
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