Nuno Espirito Santo could’ve signed one of the most impressive players in the Premier League after a recommendation from Wolves.
Nuno unearthed some gems at Wolves, but the former manager also experienced several transfer misses during his time at Molineux.
The Portuguese had big dreams in the West Midlands, as seen through some of the highs he delivered and the talent that joined the club as a result.
In 2019, Nuno wanted to bring Ruben Dias to Wolves after the Old Gold had secured European football.
The player, of course, went on to join Manchester City and win four Premier League titles, but he wasn’t Nuno’s only miss in the market.
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Nuno Espirito Santo was recommended Youri Tielemans by Wolves
After the manager’s departure in 2021, the Telegraph revealed the ins and outs of Nuno’s time at Wolves.
Within the report, it was made clear that Nuno was against Wolves signing Hwang Hee-chan, along with a revelation about another player.
In the time leading up to Youri Tielemans’ transfer to Leicester City, the Belgian was recommended to Nuno by Wolves’ recruitment team.
The Telegraph shared that despite the player being identified as a midfielder who could improve the team, a possible deal was ‘vetoed’ by Nuno.
Tielemans went on to sign for Leicester, where he made himself a household name in the Premier League, and ironically, one of the Midlands’ best players.
After Wolves opted against signing Tielemans, Villa went on to benefit from his quality, signing the 27-year-old in 2023.
Wolves found their solution to Tielemans snub
Tielemans helped to guide Unai Emery’s side to the Champions League and continues to show his quality in the English top flight.
There are few players as impressive as Tielemans in the Premier League, which is a constant reminder of what Wolves could’ve had if Nuno approved.
That being said, if there’s one area that the Old Gold have consistently thrived in, it’s in midfield.
Whether it be Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho or Joao Gomes and Andre, Wolves have rarely felt like they had a missing piece in midfield, which has certainly spared Nuno’s blushes when it comes to Tielemans.