The all-in-one-place Wolves transfer state of play - including all the rumours and the confirmed ins and outs.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a dramatic summer transfer window so far and there’s no sign of the action letting up any time soon, even with the new Premier League season now fast approaching.
Star men Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri departed Molineux at the start of June, signing for Manchester United and Manchester City in mega deals worth a combined £98 million. Wolves have since gone on to replace both players with exciting new additions while also adding quality and depth in other areas.
There’s still plenty more work to be done, though, with Vitor Pereira eager to avoid a relegation battle altogether and instead look further up the Premier League standings. To put Wolves in the best position to do just that, the edges of the squad are being trimmed and Pereira is targeting players who can make a difference both now and in the future.
So, then, what transfer business has been done so far and what can the Molineux faithful expect before deadline day on September 1? Here’s a full run-through...
Wolves spend £68m on quartet
The four permanent additions sealed so far include one player who was already on the books. Jorgen Strand Larsen has now joined for the long term from Celta Vigo for a fee in the region of £23 million following a superb season on loan. The Norway international scored 14 goals in 35 Premier League games last term.
Fer Lopez has followed Strand Larsen through the doors, also signing from Celta. The 21-year-old is a promising winger who can play on either side and he joins for around £19.5 million plus add-ons. Then there’s another attacking addition, Jhon Arias, who has signed from Fluminense for around £15 million, likely to play just in behind the striker as Cunha did.
Into defence, and Wolves have replaced Ait-Nouri by bringing in David Moller Wolfe from AZ Alkmaar. Another Norwegian, the left-back is 23 years of age and heading into his prime. Wanderers spent just £10 million plus add-ons to lure the defender to Wolverhampton. That could turn out to be quite the bargain.
Seven fringe players leave
Several first-team players have already been sold or loaned out this summer and more are being lined up for moves away. Goncalo Guedes is the most recent of these as the winger, who cost £27.5 million three years ago, has joined Real Sociedad on a permanent deal. Wolves have brought in just over £5 million for the forward – a huge loss, but it could’ve been worse as Guedes has agreed to waive the wages he was owed.
Tommy Doyle, not in Pereira’s midfield plans, has been loaned to local rivals Birmingham City. Rather crucially, Blues have included a £10 million obligation to buy Doyle if they are promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season. Following a world record League One campaign last term and more big spending this summer, that looks likely.
Boubacar Traore and Nasser Djiga are two others to be loaned out, though their moves are not thought to include permanent clauses. Both players have good potential that Wolves are looking to tap into, though loans to Metz and Rangers respectively are seen as the best routes for now. Meanwhile, Joe Hodge, Chem Campbell and Bastien Meupiyou have joined Tondela, Stevenage and Alverca.
Although talks aren’t thought to be underway at this stage, exits could also follow for the likes of Sasa Kalajdzic and Hwang Hee-chan if the prices are right. Sam Johnstone has gathered transfer interest from the likes of Sunderland and Burnley, too, so there could be some movement there.
Fabio Silva to Dortmund talks ongoing
Fabio Silva’s Wolves nightmare could finally come to an end five years on from his £35 million arrival as widespread reports suggest Borussia Dortmund are in talks to sign him. Sky Germany reports Silva is ready to sign a five-year contract with Dortmund, though the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.
Widely considered a flop as he’s scored just five goals and provided six assists in 72 games for Wolves, Silva managed to regain some of his transfer value with a fine season on loan at Las Palmas. The Portugal international scored 10 goals in 25 games for the Spanish La Liga side, attracting interest from across Europe, including from Dortmund.
Quartet leave for free - including captain Semedo
Wanderers saw four leave for free at the start of the summer. Captain Nelson Semedo was the most notable of these and he only communicated his decision as recently as last week, joining Fenerbahce. Craig Dawson, who was made to train on his own for the second half of last season, is another to go, though he’s yet to find a new club.
Experienced attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia said his farewells to Wolves on June 30 as he joined Qatari Stars League outfit Al-Arabi SC on a permanent deal. Another attacking-minded player, Chiquinho, has left for Portuguese club Alverca after failing to make an impact in Old Gold.
Right-back offer submitted - another plausible
Onto rumours rather than completed moves, Wolves are in the market for a new right-back to replace Semedo. Plenty of options have been sounded out and Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez has emerged as a priority target, with our sister publication, the Express & Star, reporting that Wolves are fighting Everton for the wing-back’s signature.
However, further reports coming out of Spain suggest Juanlu is not keen on the move to Molineux. Wolves recently suffered similar heartache with their efforts to sign Marc Pubill before his move to Atletico Madrid, so it may be time to move onto a different target.
A decent alternative could be Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson, who Wolves have been linked with in recent days. Sky Germany reports Wanderers have added Ryerson to their shortlist and as have newly promoted side Sunderland. The player wants to stay with Dortmund but could be tempted as he has ambitions of playing in the Premier League.
Pereira wants new central defender
Ideally, Wolves will sign a centre-back before the end of the window as Pereira is currently unsatisfied with the depth in the position. It’s no surprise Pereira wants a new central defender as he tends to operate with a back three. Several options have been linked but Wolves are yet to sign one.
Among those to be linked are Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi, Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga, Udinese’s Thomas Kristensen and Rennes’ Christopher Wooh. The focus is currently on bringing in a new right-back and selling Silva, but one eye could soon turn to the situation at centre-back.
Backup striker desired & talks held for playmaker
One issue Pereira has made well known is the lack of depth at striker. Strand Larsen had to do it all on his own last season as Guedes and Hwang were not up to the task of backing the Norwegian up at centre-forward. As is the case in many other positions, Wolves have put together a shortlist and are weighing up their options.
There have been concrete links to Lazio’s Valentin Castellanos, Millwall’s Mihailo Ivanovic and Lyon’s Georges Mikautadze, though nothing is thought to be close with any of Wanderers’ striker targets.
There could soon be a breakthrough in attacking midfield, however, as Wolves have reportedly lodged a first bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Amine Adli. Wolves aren’t the only Premier League side interested in Adli as top-flight newcomers Sunderland have been linked.
Adli, predominantly a left winger but also capable playing off the right or just in behind the striker, has been an impact substitute for the past four seasons. Now 25 years of age, the Morocco international has scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 94 appearances for Leverkusen, averaging a direct goal contribution every 155 minutes.
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