Wolverhampton Wanderers journalist Liam Keen has confirmed that Leo Bonatini is ‘not considered’ a first-team player, despite being named in the 25-man Premier League squad.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The 28-year-old hasn’t played for the Old Gold since 2018, having spent the last three campaigns out on loan, the last two with Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers.

The striker returned to Molineux earlier in the summer and reported for pre-season testing at Compton Park, but has been left on the periphery of the action.

The Latest: Bonatini update

Taking to Twitter, Keen confirmed that Bonatini has been listed in Wolves’ squad for the upcoming campaign, but it’s only for reasons off the pitch. He wrote:

“Just to clear this up - Leo Bonatini has been named in Wolves’ Premier League squad for purely administrative reasons - the club have to name the players on their books. He doesn’t train with the squad and is not considered a first team player.”

The Verdict: Get rid

Bonatini clearly isn’t a part of Bruno Lage’s long-term plans at Wolves having spent three years away from the Midlands, so it looks like his time in a Wolves shirt is completely up.

The Brazilian’s contract expires next summer so Wanderers will no doubt be looking to cash in on their man in January, given that will be the final opportunity to do so as they won’t want to risk losing him on a free.

The arrivals of Diego Costa and Sasa Kalajdzic will have pushed Bonatini even further down the pecking order than he was before, so it would be in his best interests to make the move elsewhere should he want more game time.