CONFIRMED: West Ham and Wolves target ball-winning machine

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 May 2025 06:54 CDT
• 12 min read

Confirmed

West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are two of the clubs looking at a potential summer transfer for Genoa star Morten Frendrup, FootballTransfers can confirm.

A 24-year-old midfielder, Frendrup has evolved into one of the best ball-winners in Serie A since completing a €4.4 million move from Brondby in the summer of 2021.

Now he is attracting transfer interest from both West Ham and Wolves in the Premier League, as well as Serie A giants Fiorentina and AC Milan, a source close to the deal has indicated to FootballTransfers.

Current ETV

Morten Frendrup

M, DM (C)

Genoa

Morten Frendrup

M, DM (C)

Genoa

€23.9M

ETV Range

€21.5M - €26.3M

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Why is Frendrup so highly rated?

Frendrup has played 33 times for Genoa in Serie A this season, even taking the captain’s armband on several occasions as they have produced a solid campaign that is set to see them finish in the mid-table pack.

The former Brondby star has been a key figure in the midfield, providing solidity that has been vital to his club's strong defensive record.

He has excelled in all aspects of the unglamorous side of the game but particularly with regards to his counter control, according to data analytics experts SciSports, who rate him as the ninth-best holding midfielder in the world.

Frendrup vs Serie A midfielders: Counter Control (2024/25)

His ball-winning ability has shone. No player has either attempted or won more tackles in Serie A this season and no player has recovered the ball on more occasions. He also ranks third in terms of duels won with 170, trailing only Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni (187) and Napoli’s Scott McTominay (184).

At West Ham, Frendrup would be an obvious replacement for Tomas Soucek, who SciSports explain he has a similar style to. The Czech appears to be on his way out under Graham Potter, with the Genoa star arriving as an instant upgrade on the 30-year-old.

Wolves, meanwhile, will see him as an option to help supplement their core of midfield players, where Andre has been a standout performer this term.

Frendrup has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €24m but Genoa are reportedly willing to accept a €20m bid.

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