The transfer window is often a reminder of how many times Wolves have missed out on superstars who have excelled elsewhere.
Sporting Lisbon marksman Viktor Gyokeres is the prime example. Wolves were close to signing Gyokeres from Coventry City in 2023, but as Jeff Shi wasn’t in the country to finalise the deal, the Swedish goal machine instead moved to Lisbon.
The ruthless striker is now on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester United after scoring an eye-watering 54 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last term.
Wolves also rejected the chance to sign William Saliba in 2019, and now the Frenchman is one of the best centre-backs on the planet.
Saliba is just another example where the Wanderers’ recruitment team fumbled a brilliant opportunity, which repeated itself during Bruno Lage’s time at Molineux.
Enzo Fernandez during Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images
Bruno Lage says Wolves could have signed Enzo Fernandez
In 2022, Wolves almost signed Enzo Fernandez for just £17 million from River Plate. Matt Hobbs was even sent to Argentina as they attempted to wrap up a deal, though the midfielder had already spoken to Benfica over a possible move.
Only six months after moving to the Portuguese giants, Fernandez became the most expensive transfer in British football history, setting Chelsea back a whopping £106.8 million in February 2023.
The 24-year-old saw his stock and value skyrocket in a short space of time, leaving Wolves feeling a sense of regret after failing to land the Argentine.
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Former Wanderers boss Lage is now the manager of Benfica, and his side face off against Chelsea in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Saturday night.
Ahead of the mouth-watering showdown, Lage confirmed via journalist Ben Jacobs that Fernandez could have joined him at Wolves, while labelling him ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’.
🗣️ Benfica boss Bruno Lage on Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto. “There was actually a rumour before Enzo came to Chelsea that he was going to join me at Wolves, so that was funny.
“In terms of money, Chelsea have one of the best midfielders in the world.
“But the player I really… pic.twitter.com/TJaHoYOQf3
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 27, 2025
It’s a case of what could have been for Wolves, as Fernandez is starting to finally showcase why Chelsea paid a whopping nine figures for him.
Wolves need a midfielder like Fernandez
Fernandez enjoyed a tremendous 2024/25 campaign with nine goals and 16 assists in all competitions, since carrying such form into the Club World Cup.
The Chelsea superstar has one goal and two assists in three matches so far, and he’ll be looking to add to that total against his former club.
Wolves certainly wish they had a midfielder like Fernandez, someone capable of ghosting into the box and scoring goals.
Gomes showed glimpses of being just that type of midfielder last term, though it was his ball-winning skills that stood out the most.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is also capable of becoming a regular source of goals from midfield, but he was mainly used as one of the wide 10s last term.
Indeed, Pereira should look to sign a lethal player for his engine room this term to make Wolves forget they could have had Fernandez.