Barcelona rising stars training with Wolves ahead of potential double deal
Wolves have taken two brothers who currently feature for Barcelona’s academy on trial ahead of a potential double swoop to sign them both to their youth set-up.
Wolves‘ form has improved in recent weeks as they look to make a fight of staying in the Premier League under Rob Edwards.
The former Luton boss has led his side to five games without a loss since a 1-1 draw with Man United on 30 December, with wins over West Ham and Shrewsbury Town and two more stalemates against Everton and Newcastle.
Edwards has championed the development of Wolves academy graduate Mateus Mane, who has registered two goals and an assist in 12 Premier League matches since his arrival.
Football Insider recently revealed that Wolves have no plans to let Mane leave anytime soon, despite high-profile interest in his services, and he could soon be joined at Molineux by two young talents from abroad who are looking to make it in England.
Wolves take Bodie and Graham Ford on trial from Barcelona’s Residency Academy
Barcelona‘s aim to develop talents in all corners of the world led them to start the ‘Barca Residency Academy USA’ in August 2017, which is the only residential academy in the club’s international program as it stands.
The Arizona-based academy is one of the best of its kind in the States, with most of their older age-group sides partaking in MLS Next, which is the highest-level youth competition in the country.
According to a new X post from Talking Wolves, via OPSM Soccer on Instagram, Wolves have recently taken two brothers, Bodie and Graham Ford, on trial from the Barca Residency Academy.
18-year-old Bodie is a left-back by trade, who featured three times on loan at USL Championship side New Mexico United last season.
17-year-old Graham is a left-footed attacking midfielder who has previously played for the USA under-16 side and was named as an MLS Next All-Star last year.
Wolves setting their sights on ‘next Mateus Mane’ alongside Ford brothers
Sources have told Football Insider that Man City and Chelsea are keeping tabs on Mane right now, but he is expected to stay at Molineux this month ahead of a possible move away in the summer.
They snapped him up from Rochdale in 2024, and are clearly trying to repeat that trick by signing new starlets while they are rising through the ranks, rather than when they have already played regular senior football.
Football Insider recently revealed that Wolves are eyeing a move for teenage striker Ollie Anderson, who has scored four in his last five games for Welsh Premier League club Briton Ferry.
Anderson could well make his way to the West Midlands soon with an eye to playing senior football for Wolves, with the Ford brothers also potentially signing deals with the club if they impress while on trial.