All focus is back on the pitch at Wolves, but behind the scenes, one eye is being kept on the upcoming transfer window.
We’re still a couple of months out from the opening of the January window, but if Wolves have learnt anything from the summer, it’s best not to leave it late.
Reports suggest Wolves aren’t interested in selling, a correct decision and an obvious one.
But what about bringing players in? There were claims earlier this week that Wolves would target a midfielder in January, and possibly a winger. But contradicting reports have emerged that suggest Wolves might be less inclined to spend big.
Doubts about Wolves’ ability/willingness to spend
While those positions are definite needs, Wolves may not be in a position to fork out a significant fee.
Asked about Wolves’ spending plans, Tom Collomosse (Daily Mail) isn’t expecting much, writing: “Not significantly, unless they are forced to. Spending rules are a constant headache for the majority of the Premier League and Wolves are no different.”
He argues that Wolves have already spent big and aren’t necessarily looking to January for improvement.
He says: “The perception that Wolves do not spend on players is flawed. The problem is where and how they spend it.
“If we include the £23m paid to Celta Vigo to make Strand Larsen’s loan move permanent, Wolves committed more than £120m on new players last summer, after spending £108m across the 2024-25 season. They just need a few more of these transfers to work out.”
But that argument is called into question when you take one important thing into account.
Wolves’ net spend
In comparison to the teams around them, Wolves weren’t very ambitious this past summer.
They are fourth-lowest in the league for net spend, making £20.9 million in profit according to Sky Sports.
The bottom two of Bournemouth and Brighton are in a separate conversation. Their recruitment models are some of the best in Europe.
Wolves and Brentford, though, lost key pieces of their sides this summer, and it was the kind of window where you extend a little bit. But Wolves did not, and they’re suffering the consequences.
Financial regulations don’t prevent Wolves from spending a bit more than they make, and there’s room for some ambition in the winter.