Wolves could delve into the free agent market to strengthen their squadplaceholder image
Wolves could delve into the free agent market to strengthen their squad | Getty Images/ Canva
Wolves could still delve into the free agent market to bolster their squad depth
The Premier League summer transfer window has now officially closed and it’s fair to say that it's been a hugely tricky window for Wolves in particular. The Old Gold resisted temptation to sell Matheus Cunha in January but were always aware of the Brazilian’s intentions to leave eventually, with Manchester United activating his £62.5m release clause. Cunha was the team’s top performer with 21 league goal contributions last season while the club also lost a hugely creative player in Rayan Ait-Nouri after the left-back opted for a move to the Blue side of Manchester.
Club captain Nelson Semedo also departed on a free transfer after five seasons at Molineux while it was also the end of the journey for Portuguese counterpart Fabio Silva, who joined Borussia Dortmund after failing to ever live up to the hype that had surrounded him before his £35m move to Molineux five years ago.
How deadline day went for Wolves
Vitor Pereira’s focus in the final hours of the window seemed to be centred on getting a midfielder over the line but ultimately things never went to plan despite talks of an approach for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney. Arokodare joins earlier summer signings David Møller Wolfe, Jhon Arias, Fer Lopez and Jackson Tchatchoua through the door in what’s currently predicted to be another relegation battle for the West Midlands outfit.
Which free agents could Wolves still look to target
Football Insider claims Championship Player of the Season Josh Brownhill turned down approaches from Leicester City and Wolves to join on a free transfer on deadline day. The ex-Burnley man is still available but it remains to be seen whether Wolves will make an improved proposal or shift their attention towards other targets.
Meanwhile, another big-name midfielder that finds himself back on the free agent list is Dele Alli. The former Tottenham man and one-time Champions League finalist was once viewed as one of the best attacking midfielders in the country but was released by Como after only playing once in 12 months. He’s struggled with numerous problems off the field and last performed to something resembling his full potential in the 2019/20 campaign, although even that was a dip from his standards in 2016/17 when he scored 18 from midfield in the league.
Elsewhere in the mix, is former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen. The 144-time international has ambitions of playing in the World Cup next summer and at 33 should still have some years left in the tank despite struggling for regular minutes at Old Trafford.
Winger Hakim Ziyech, formerly of Chelsea, is also without a club after leaving Al-Duhail in Qatar, but has struggled with fitness over the last few seasons. Also available and looking for a new club is former Liverpool playmaker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He surprisingly had his contract terminated by Besiktas despite a steady end to last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his manager also leaving the Istanbul-based outfit.
Ex-Arsenal man Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is currently nursing a serious knee injury, is a name that could be considered for defensive experience once he returns to fitness. While ex-Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilon also remains without a club and is seeking a new challenge amid reports of potential interest from West Ham.
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