New Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Rob Edwards has been told there will be no fire-sale of his best players.
Wolves’ incoming chief has been given assurances that the New Year will not see the club cashing in on its key assets. Such a move would deal a hammer blow to the slim chances that the Black Country club have of staying in the Premier League.
And GIVEMESPORT understands that any such move has been ruled out as the club seeks a reboot under the new boss.
Edwards Will Not be Forced to Sell Big-Name Assets
Rob Edwards celebrating after a Middlesbrough goal
Edwards, 42, agreed to take over the hottest seat in the top-flight of English football this week after detailed talks. Part of those included questions about the motivations of Wolves' hierarchy, going forward.
But it appears that any interest in players will be shelved until the summer. That will give Wolves’ decision-makers plenty of time to reallocate their resources should that prove necessary.
There are several players within Edwards’s squad who do hold considerable value in the market. Chief among them is striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was the subject of a £60m offer from Newcastle United shortly before the closure of the transfer window.
The Magpies received a firm hands-off warning and time worked against them as the Norwegian international managed to secure a new pay deal for himself off the back of the enquiry.
Strand Larsen was handed the captaincy shortly before Edwards’ predecessor Vitor Pereira left, but he is unlikely to force the issue.
Norway’s defeat of Estonia on Thursday night has left them all but guaranteed a route to next year’s World Cup. And that means the forward has a chance to shine, potentially playing alongside Erling Haaland in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Given that shop window, it is entirely reasonable to think that Strand Larsen will give himself maximum opportunity to advance his career - and that it is best served if he can showcase his talents against the best.
Gomes Among Those of Highest Value at Molineux
Joao Gomes during a pre-match warm-up with Wolverhampton Wanderers
The same thought processes are likely to be uppermost in the mind of another highly-saleable asset, Joao Gomes. Only seven months have passed since the Brazilian inked a fresh deal. This was for five years - plus another in the club’s favour - and although his star has waned along with the club’s fortunes, his age profile and experience of the Premier League would both be big ticks in the box should a suitor come calling.
It is difficult to see too much immediate value elsewhere. Potentially, Gomes’ midfield partner Andre might be capable of commanding a decent fee, but he will have three years to run on his contract following the £18m transfer from Fluminense last year.
Other than that, there may be value in the string of players bought but who have not yet found their feet as the campaign has unravelled around them.
Of the rest, the jury has to be out. Both Wolves - and potential buyers - will find it difficult to consider a verdict when there is so little evidence to go on. Part of the problems Pereira ran into were because of the rapid overhaul of the squad he inherited.
Losing Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri for a combined fee approaching £100m allowed Wolves to reinvest. But the likes of Tolu Arokodare, bought for £26m from Genk, have hardly been given any chance to shine.
The same goes for Fer Lopez from Celta Vigo and Fluminense’s Jhon Arias. Both might have the ability, eventually, to play in the Premier League, but the prospect of being able to convince everyone else as to their worth is going to take longer than the six weeks before the January window opens.
It is a similar story when it comes to Jackson Tchatchoua, a recruit from Hellas Verona. It is too soon for anyone else to pass judgement on him.
Edwards Must Make Snap Decisions to Improve Form
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards
On one level, the word from the boardroom that Wolves won’t cash in will be welcome. But Edwards is going to have to make snap decisions - and quickly - if he is to breathe any kind of life back into a season that appears stillborn.
The next four away fixtures include trips to Villa Park, the Emirates Stadium, Anfield and Old Trafford to face Aston Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
The two-week international break may have given everyone at Molineux breathing space. But it’s likely to be merely the calm before the storm. The next fortnight off comes towards the back end of March.
And although the personnel might not have changed too much, Edwards - and Wolves - need to see what the current crop are made of before any long-term decisions over players’ futures are discussed.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 14/11/2025