It’s expected that the summer transfer window will bring change to Molineux, with Matheus Cunha’s Wolves future a talking point.
Cunha received significant transfer interest in January but, rumours were put to bed as the Brazilian penned a new deal at Wolves.
Speculation was only turned down momentarily, as Wolves included a release clause in Cunha’s contract, which could see him leave for £62.5m in the summer.
Vitor Pereira will have a challenge to replace his star player, particularly if Fosun are tight with the pursestrings but, Cunha’s replacement isn’t the only task for Wolves to tackle.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Wolves urged to sign a Toti Gomes alternative
Wolves could seek assistance from a third party if Cunha is sold, primarily to release some funds to sufficiently replace the Brazilian when the time comes.
Having contributed to 44% of Wolves’ Premier League goals this season, replacing the 25-year-old will be tough, putting great emphasis on the need for a successful summer transfer window.
Aside from what could happen with Cunha, Pereira has also been urged to seek backup for another player, as Toti Gomes’ importance to the Wolves squad was outlined by journalist Liam Keen.
“His [Toti’s] balance on the left side has been so important to this team. He’s been a massive miss,” the reporter said on The Keen & Judah Show.
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“I think if we were going to put a slight negative on it, going forward for next season, Wolves need to have another player on that left side of defence for if and when Toti Gomes is injured.”
Toti missed five games with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, a period in which Keen believed the defender was ‘gravely’ missed.
“His loss to the team was felt so gravely in terms of balance in a left-footed defender, if Wolves can have someone they can replace him with when necessary that would be really important.”
Vitor Pereira understands the left-side urgency
Wolves addressed their defensive depth in January, welcoming Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Agbadou but, the left-sided need remains.
Both winter signings are right-footed players, leaving Toti alone as Pereira’s only left-footed option.
Pereira spoke about Toti’s importance in February, expressing the balance that a left-footed player brings to his system.
“It’s the left foot, which is important for us, it’s important to play on the left side with a left foot because it’s different.
“If you play with the right foot on the opposite side as a defender, you have problems because the balance is different.”
It remains to be seen what Wolves’ plan is for the summer transfer window, with there a good chance that Pereira will look at his defence once again.