Despite selling two of their best players this summer, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, there are plenty of reasons for Wolves to be excited ahead of the new season.
The Old Gold confirmed their first signing of the window as winger Fer Lopez joined Wolves in a £19.5 million move from Celta Vigo.
Supporters will now hope that the addition of Lopez will open the floodgates, as Fosun acknowledge that a summer rebuild is required for Wolves to progress up the table.
As new technical director Domenico Teti and manager Vitor Pereira piece together their summer transfer plans, it is likely more youngsters will arrive at Molineux to supplement the talent already shining bright.
One of those is Portuguese gem Rodrigo Gomes, who enjoyed a decent first season at the club after joining from SC Braga for £12.7 million in 2024.
Rodrigo Gomes looks on during Wolves vs Tottenham
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Liam Keen says where Rodrigo Gomes must improve at Wolves
Although Gary O’Neil didn’t deem Gomes a player for the present, seeing him as part of the future, the 21-year-old still featured prominently during the 2024/25 campaign.
The versatile youngster played 25 times in the Premier League, seven of which were starts, and he was used across a variety of positions, notably as a right and left wing-back.
Gomes is now starring for Portugal’s under-21 side at the European Championships with two goals from the bench in four appearances.
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But despite showcasing his talent in that age group, Express & Star journalist Liam Keen wants more from him next season if he wants to become a regular starter.
As a wing-back, Gomes failed to assist in any of his appearances last term, with Keen urging him to improve that ‘damning’ statistic to ‘seriously challenge’.
Speaking on the Keen & Judah show, he said: “I don’t see Rodrigo Gomes being an out and out starter every week next season. But I do think he’s got the quality to impact it from the bench on occasions when needed, like midweek games, cup games and still have a really important role as a squad player in this team.
“That’s not because he isn’t talented enough to start, I think he needs time to adapt still. He’s had a good first season but if you look at the numbers he was able to put up, three goals, two of them in the Premier League but the damning one, zero assists.
“That’s the thing he has to impact and change, if you’re going to play wing back in Pereira’s system you’re essentially a winger and you need to have a better numbers going forward.
“But he’s a player that’s full of enthusiasm, he’s got good quality, and I think he will do well for Wolves next season, but he has to challenge more seriously for a start.”
Wolves wing-back options assessed
Wolves fans looked on earlier this week as Rayan Ait-Nouri starred on his Manchester City debut, much to Pep Guardiola’s delight.
Hugo Bueno has been tipped to replace the Algerian as a prominent fixture in the starting lineup once he returns from his Feyenoord loan.
But Pereira will seriously miss Ait-Nouri’s output, and that is why Gerard Martin is being targeted by Wolves as an option.
On the other flank, with Nelson Semedo’s contract coming to an end on June 30, Pereira is left with just Gomes and Pedro Lima to select from.
It explains why Wolves are interested in free agent Kyle Walker-Peters, who would add experience and quality to their right flank while competing with Gomes for a place in the side.