According to Dharmesh Sheth, who is providing SportSynergy with an internal transfer update from Molineux, Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O’Neil will seek to add his own players during the winter transfer window.
Wolves had a turbulent summer transfer window, losing a number of important players as well as manager Julen Lopetegui because of the club’s obligation to adhere to Premier League profit and sustainability regulations.
Before the season began, O’Neil took over as head coach from the Spanish coach, and toward the close of the transfer window, he brought in a number of players. But as January approaches, the Wanderers head coach might want to bring in some of his own players.
Wolves are concerned about Neto’s absence.
When the Wolves enter the winter transfer market at the beginning of the year, they hope to still be afloat. O’Neil was appointed amid contentious circumstances after Lopetegui’s contract was mutually terminated.
With Joao Moutinho and Adama Traore leaving at the end of their contracts, the club had already lost the services of Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, Nathan Collins, and Raul Jimenez. The former manager of AFC Bournemouth had less than a week to get his team ready for their Premier League opener against Manchester United. Wolves put on a strong performance despite losing the match, and they have generally impressed fans who have watched them throughout the campaign, now sitting in 14th place.
Wanderers was able to recruit many players in the final parts of the summer window after selling Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes to Manchester City for a club-record £53 million. In the 48 hours before the window closed, Wolves welcomed Enso Gonzalez, Santiago Bueno, Tommy Doyle, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to Molineux, following the signings of free agents Tom King and Matt Doherty earlier in the market. The four provides O’Neil a much-improved squad depth and gives the head coach real options off the bench even though they haven’t yet established themselves as first-team regulars in the West Midlands.
But Wolves suffered a blow last weekend when their star player, Pedro Neto, had a hamstring injury and had to leave the team’s 2-2 home tie with Newcastle United. The Portugal international won’t be playing again before the international break, and Wolves will be anxious about his absence, according to journalist Dean Jones, who spoke with SportSynergy. According to Daily Mail reporter Tom Collomosse, the Black Country team is hopeful that Neto’s injury isn’t as serious as initially thought and has made a suggestion that a comeback before Christmas is feasible.
Dharmesh Sheth update: news about the Wolves transfer
Sheth asserts that O’Neil will have been “hurt” by Neto’s injury, and he may use this as leverage with the owners to argue that they must make an investment in January to keep the team’s caliber consistent. The Sky Sports reporter believes Wanderers won’t be making any significant moves until the summer of 2019. To GIVEMESPORT, Sheth said:
Neto’s injury would have caused pain to O’Neil, and he could have used it to argue to the owners that it would not be feasible to place themselves in a situation where the loss of quality would be so great. Thus, I believe that he should take advantage of the January transfer window O’Neil will want to bring in his own players at this point, so I’m sure he’ll want to be active. However, their primary focus will also be on the summer.
Wolves Linked
Linked to a Championship star, Wolves may aim to sign a cover player for Neto in January. O’Neil’s team is reportedly just one of numerous Premier League teams scouting Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, according to TEAMtalk.
According to the source, Wolves will face competition in 2024 from Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Burnley, AFC Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace for the signature of the second-tier talent. Clarke is valued by Sunderland at approximately £20 million, and Premier League teams are anticipated to begin the bidding process with offers of about £15 million.
John Percy of The Telegraph asserts that Wolves would not violate the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations following their £140 million in sales during the summer window. Wanderers intend to buy a number nine as O’Neil looks to move current center-forward Matheus Cunha into a free role behind the striker, even if they are unlikely to make a major purchase in the January transfer window.
Although the inclusion of a number nine might be necessary, this will undoubtedly cast doubt on the futures of Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva, the two senior center-forward alternatives that Molineux presently has.
