Wolves fans were made to squirm a bit, but the club enjoyed a positive end to the January transfer window.
After a horrible first half of the season under Gary O’Neil, Wolves needed a big winter window to strengthen the squad, with new centre-backs particularly important.
Wolves managed to bring in Emmanuel Agbadou, who has been an instant hit at Molineux. His importance was recently underlined when Agbadou scooped Wolves’ Player of the Month award for January.
Nasser Djiga joined too, but fans have yet to see the Burkina Faso international play.
Wolves also brought in a new midfielder in Marshall Munetsi, who was a teammate of Agbadou at Reims.
So three new signings, and fans are feeling better about Wolves’ chances of staying in the Premier League. Agbadou certainly looks like a game-changer especially.
But for former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe, it is very clear what the best bit of business really was for Wolves.
Jermain Defoe says Matheus Cunha signing a new contract was vital for Wolves
Not only did Wolves bring in three new signings in January (Djiga and Munetsi technically joined the club in February), but the club also tied Matheus Cunha down to a new contract.
Cunha had been lined up for a new deal at Molineux weeks ago.
But fans started to worry when there was no movement, and speculation started to pick up about his immediate future.
Plenty of clubs are keen on Cunha, and some were worried he would be poached.
But towards the end of the window, the talk died down, with Wolves adamant the player wasn’t for sale.
Wolves then beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Molineux with Cunha wrapping the game up with a goal in injury-time.
He would sign his new contract that night after the game – and Jermain Defoe feels that was huge for the club.
Speaking on Sky Sports before Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, he said: “I think he signed a four-and-a-half year contract – probably the best business that they’ve done.
“I think their last 13 goals, he’s been involved in nine of those, in games they’ve won. So he makes the difference.
“Even some of the goals he’s scored. His body language, he’s a leader, he’s confident. He wants to be the best player on the pitch. Efficient in front of goal when he gets his chances. But his all-round game – he’s a top, top player.”
Cunha exit would have been disastrous for Wolves
It was perhaps never too likely that Cunha would really leave in January, although there were some concerns amid the reports ahead of that game with Chelsea.
But Wolves always wanted to keep Cunha, and it was huge that the club did.
He was already showing how good he was before January, and Cunha has been brilliant since signing his new deal to further emphasise how important it was to keep him.
| Cunha for Wolves in 2024/25 |
| Appearances – 26 |
| Minutes played – 2077 |
| Goals – 13 |
| Assists – 4 |
His goal against Liverpool on Sunday was of the highest quality, and him being able to provide moments like that gives Wolves a fighting chance.
It took him onto 12 in the league, which means Cunha is closing in on the record for most goals by a Brazilian in single Premier League season. Currently, that record is jointly held by Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli.
Wolves have made some positive signings, but had Cunha left then Wolves really would be in a world of trouble.